AmateurHeadline News

Nevin backs Conlan to leave behind the “nonsense”

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If he did before Rio, John Joe Nevin now certainly has absolutely no regrets about not staying amateur following the now-infamous Mick Conlan v Vladimir Nikitin debacle.

Conlan plainly defeated his Russian opponent in the Olympic bantamweight quarter final, but was farcically adjudged to have been beaten.

Nevin, who won silver at bantamweight in London, and has since gone on to compile an 8(4)-0 record during a stop-start campaign in the pros.

While his career away from the vest has not, as of yet, hit the heights some may have expected, Nevin believes he is better off away from the “nonsense” of the amateur game, and believes that the AIBA’s running of the sport risks the alienation of the next generation.

Speaking last night on RTÉ 2FM’s Game On, Nevin admitted that “yeah [I’m better off in the pro game], and I think Michael will do the same now, I think he’s had enough of that kind of nonsense.”

“Look at the decisions, my little son was looking at it and he even knew who won the fight.”

“How can you keep kids interested in the sport when people like that are sitting down judging and they decide ‘you’re not going to win’ before it’s even started?”

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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