Nevin gets professional career off to flying start

John Joe Nevin felt more pressure making his professional debut on Monday night in Boston than going into the 2012 Olympic final in London.

Nevin beat Alberto Candelaria at the House of Blues on St Patrick’s Day to get his pro career off to the perfect start.

The Mullingar super-feather got unanimous decision — 59-55 across the board — after six rounds and praise from ex-world champion Paulie Malignaggi.

“Paulie winked at me and said I would be a future world champion. That means a lot to me coming from him,” said Nevin.

Nevin , who had Brian McKeown and Ken Casey working his corner, repeatedly rocked Candelaria in New England, but the durable Puerto Rican refused to go down.

The ex AIBA World No.1 ranked bantam is due to fly home from the USA today for a break ahead of his next fight before the summer.

He added: “Fair play to him, not many boxers from Ireland or the UK would take shots like that. I hit him with everything but the kitchen sink, but he just wouldn’t go down.

“The reception was unbelievable, lads from towns at home were calling out the names of their towns. It was unbelievable.

“In many ways there was more pressure on this than there was in the Olympic final. This was the start of my professional career and I was expected to win.

“It means so much for me to win on St Patrick’s Day in my first professional fight. Onwards and upwards from here.”

Dublin light-welter Jamie Kavanagh beat Puerto Rican Andres Navarro (80-72,79-73,79-73) on the nine-bout Boston card.