Nevin secures silver for Ireland

John Joe Nevin has won a silver medal in the bantamweight boxing at the Olympics.

Great Britain's Luke Campbell realised his lifetime dream as he floored Nevin on his way to a 14-11 victory and the Olympic bantamweight title at ExCeL tonight.

Campbell landed a left hand counter in the final round to floor his opponent, who had beaten him in 2009 before the Hull man gained revenge with a close win in last year’s World Championship semi-finals.

Campbell had received the loudest cheers on the way to the ring, but there was still a sizeable Irish contingent who were buoyed by a bright start by Nevin, who surprised his old rival by beginning on the front foot.

Nevin’s tactics seemed to play into the hands of Campbell to an extent, and the Yorkshireman landed with a slick combination, and although Mullingar man also landed it was Campbell’s sharper shots that gave him a 5-3 first round lead.

Campbell wasblocking the majority of Nevin’s best efforts and countering well, although the Mullingar man came on well towards the end of the round, landing a peach of an uppercut and a stretching right hand to narrow the deficit to a single point at 9-8.

Given what was at stake, it was no surprise the third round should turn into a cagey affair, Campbell landing the first two rights of note before decking Nevin with a stabbing left as the Irishman lunged in to throw a right hand.

Campbell’s counters were making the difference, and at the end of an intriguing bout there could be little doubt that the Hull man had done enough to achieve a dream he has had since he first laced on gloves.

Afterwards a heartbroken Nevin was disappointed at not winning the gold medal.

Nevin said: "I'd have taken a bronze medal coming here but when I got to the final I wanted to go the whole way.

"I feel like a failure. I'm devastated. I'm heartbroken. I wanted to join the club with Michael Carruth and Kenny and Katie. Luke is a tremendous boxer."