“I will get my chance” – John Joe Nevin has positive outlook ahead of Philly outing

John Joe Nevin [11(4)-0] returns to the ring on a green-tinged card in Philadelphia tomorrow [Friday March 15th] but there is no green-eyed monster for the Olympic silver medallist.

The Mullingar super feather features on the Matchroom St Patrick’s Weekend bill at the Liacouras Center which sees Dubliner Jono Carroll challenge IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer, Wicklow’s Katie Taylor seek to become a three-belt lightweight champ versus Rose Volante, and also includes Nevin’s Olympic conqueror Luke Campbell who stays busy ahead of a second world title shot.

By comparison Nevin is in action over six rounds versus Colombian Andres Figueroa [9(5)-3(3)].

The double World Championships bronze medallist has been a pro for five years but injury and outside-the-ring issues have restricted him, with his fight versus unbeaten Canadian Commonwealth Games medallist Alejandro Rynn his only real contest of note.

While it’s a cliché within Irish boxing to lament the progress of Nevin’s pro career, ‘The Mullingar Shuffler’ remains hugely upbeat and takes a different view to a rocky half a decade.

Asked by Irish-Boxing.com whether there is a reflex sense of jealousy towards Taylor, Carroll, and the like, Nevin is quick to clarify.

“Not at all!” he says. “I wish them well,” before adding that he had a “good chat and a laugh” with Campbell at the public workout on Tuesday.

“I will get my chance, I have had plenty of time to recover from the non-stop years at top level boxing and I’m back boxing at my best.”

“I will get to that stage very soon, I just need to stay focused.”

The phenomenally talened southpaw genuinely believes that 2019 will be a breakthrough year for him and hopes to race up through the ranks, starting tomorrow night.

Nevin, now 29, outlines how “this is the year, i think.”

“Look at the start I’ve got, on a Matchroom show in Philadelphia, it’s off to a good start.”

“It’s very important as it is on a big stage and I need to seize the moment.”

“A few big fights this year, bulding my way into the frame for to challenge for the super featherweight world title in 2020. I want big fights on big shows.”

Based in Philly under boxing royalty in Bozy Ennis, Nevin feels ready to impress against a game opponent.

“Camp was brilliant, no complaints, all went well,” he notes before casting a glance at Figueroa.

“All I know is he will come to fight which is good because I want the test, I don’t want guys just to lay down.”

“It’s going to be a great show with my old team mate Katie Taylor and Jono Carroll who I’ve trained alongside.”

“I’ve a big Irish following so hopefully I can put on a good show for my second home.”