Career lift off? John Joe Nevin sets up big 2020 with stylish York Hall win
John Joe Nevin produced a career best display to breath some much needed life into his pro career tonight [Saturday].
The Olympic silver medal winner has endured a stop start career since leaving the amateurs, but gave himself a green light for a big 2020 with victory at the York Hall.
‘The Mullingar Shuffler’ defeated Nicaraguan southpaw Freddy Fonseca, who came into the fight with 18 knockouts from 27 wins. In fact the West Meath super featherweight widely out pointed a fighter widely regarded as his toughest to date.
Nevin dropped his foe in the second and dominated the majority of the remaining nine rounds to secure a 99-90, 97-92, 97-92 points win.
It’s a solid win made somewhat special because of the title on offer. The former Irish amateur standout buckled the WBA International title around his waist post having his had raised live on Channel 5.
Congrats to @johnJoeNevin for his win over Freddy Fonseca to pick up the WBA International Super Featherweight title. #NevinFonseca pic.twitter.com/5aVZxycnhy
— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) November 16, 2019
The title should provide the natural talent a world ranking and as a result open up a world of opportunities in 2020 – and the level of performance on Saturday suggests Nevin is more than capable of winning big fights should the come along.
Nevin did fade somewhat down the stretch, but the now Jim McDonnell trained fighter showed flashes of real brilliance at various times throughout the TV bout.
The natural talent, that prompted some to call him Ireland’s greatest ever amateur ahead of the likes of Joe Ward, Katie Taylor and Michael Conlan, was on display regular enough in the early rounds and in part thereafter.
Pre the fight the Mullingar fighter did mention Tevin Farmer and one or two similar styled displays against noted opposition and not many could argue against him being a live opponent in that fight.
And he picks up the WBA International Super Featherweight title! @johnJoeNevin with the points victory… pic.twitter.com/swnFCHkoYJ
— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) November 16, 2019
“Tevin Farmer would be my preferred choice. He’s from Philly where I was based for the start of my pro career [under promoter Tom Moran’s GreenBlood organisation]. When we were on the same bill, I sold a lot more tickets than Farmer ever did. They weren’t boxing fans who attended, they were John Joe Nevin fans,” Nevin said this week.
“Farmer beat two Irish guys already, Jono Carroll and James Tennyson, so I’d like to avenge that for Irishmen everywhere. I’d willingly fight Tevin in his home town but before MY fans. He’s pretty slick too but he’s not got what I’ve got.”
