Covid cancelation – John Joe Nevin’s debut as a Billy Joe Saunders managed fighter postponed

John Joe Nevin [14(4)-0] won’t fight for the first time as a Billy Joe Saunders managed fighter next weekend.

The Olympic gold medal winner was due to end a 14 month absence from the ring and fight for the first time since he defeated Freddy Fonseca to pick up a ranking title next weekend.

One of Ireland’s greatest ever amateurs was due to fight former WBO Youth Champion Shaun Cooper [10(0)-2(1)] over six rounds on the same card #MTKFightCard as Belfast’s Paul McCullagh and Dublin’s Paul Ryan.

However, the 31-year-old has caught Covid and the fight is off.

It will prove a massive disapointment for the ‘Mullingar Shuffler’ who has struggled to get any rythmn to his pro career.

Signing with Saunders looked set to provide him access to MTK Fight Night’s and the management companies roster. Saturday next was meant to spark a period of activity and start a process that would lead to the West Meath fighter securing the big fights he argues his talent deserves.

There remains plenty of Irish interest on the card as ‘Irish Drago’ McCullagh, Fearghus Quinn and debutant Ryan all take to the squared circle.