APB fears loss of Irish stars

AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) chiefs fear losing out on five top Irish boxers — after they failed to sign up John Joe Nevin.

Tournament bosses have set their sights on Joe Ward, Jason Quigley, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan and Tommy McCarthy, but fear inaction on the part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) will cost them vital signatures.

After two false starts, the APB is now scheduled to begin in June, and the final list of participants is expected to be finalised by the end of this month.