Nevin wants World title fight at Croker

John Joe Nevin has stated he wants to win a World title fight at Croke Park, after it was confirmed at a press conference in Dublin this afternoon that he has made the switch to professional boxing.

He will link up with London company Berkeley Sports & Media and Philadelphia based GreenBlood Boxing.

"If I get to be a World Champion there would be nothing better than bringing the 'Golden Boy of England' Luke Campbell back here and showing him what I can do over 12 round," Nevin said this afternoon.

"I think there was only one fight ever in Croke Park and Mohammad Ali was involved in it. I want to be the second to do it. Plus it would mean the world to me, what I did in the amateur business winning all of those medals, there was nothing special about that to me.

"It was special but the goal in the amateur business was to win that Olympic medal and I got it. Then I went greedy and I got the full packet.

"To win a World title has been a dream of mine since watching the 'Rocky' movies when I was seven years old. Looking up to Rocky Balboa - a movie, it's a bit childish! But to come on since then and see Bernard Dunne win a World title in Dublin, makes me want it even more."

Manager of Green Blood Boxing Tom Moran says they are keen to have Nevin's dreams realised.

"One of his dreams is to win a World title and defend that World title at Croke Park," he said.

"Part of our job and our responsibility now is to bring his dreams alive that way. One of the things he asked me in Philadelphia was 'do you reckon I will be a world champion?' and I saw him box in Philadelphia. One of the things when you go into Philly gyms is there is a certain kind of respect thing. White guys in the inner-city gyms don't always get that immediate respect.

"One of the first things that John Joe did was, they put me in with the best. There was one guy who was going to go four rounds with him and lasted two rounds. They put in a kid 20 pounds heavier and John Joe handled that. What happened by the end of that was that he already had respect in a Philly gym, just because he's a World class amateur, didn't mean he was going to get that respect in these gyms."

Negotiations are ongoing between management and promoters, but it is expected a deal will be signed with a major promoter in the coming months.

"Now this part of his career is about everybody working together - it is a team, it is a family," Moran said.

"Basically the vision is to sign him with a major promoter in the next couple of months. He probably, as much as he would like to get a fight before the end of the year, it probably will be the beginning of next year."

Nevin will be based between Philadelphia and Cavan, and will continue to train under his former amateur coach Brian McKeown.

He says it was hugely important to keep the Cavan Boxing club coach on board.

"It was my own decision," Nevin said. "I said to the boys already if I am going to turnover and bring back a title I need Brian beside me. He is a brilliant coach and he is who I am comfortable with."

"There's lads away from home getting nothing and making sacrifices to go away and get a few bob. I'm hoping to be the best and the best in the World and hopefully bring back tonnes of money after winning World titles. It's a big commitment, but it will be well worth it in the end."

"As soon as I get the chance at a World title I will take it. At the start, as of now I just can't wait to get my first fight over and get in the ranks."

And Nevin says he doesn't mind whether his first professional fight is at home or abroad.

"I don't mind where I box. I would love to box in Ireland, but I would say at the start it's going to be Stateside."