Let’s Shuffle – John Joe Nevin calls out Jono Carroll and James Tennyson

John Joe Nevin [14(4)-0] has two Irish names on his radar.

Having injected a some momentum back into his career with an impressive ranking title victory over Freddy Fonseca at York Hall last November, the West Meath fighter wants to step back into the green spotlight.

The Olympic silver medal winner, whose pro career has been frustratingly stop start, wants a big fight in Ireland – and as a result has called out both Jono Carroll [18(4)-1(0)-1] and James Tennyson [26(22)-3(3)].

‘The Mullingar Shuffler’ is adamant both are fan friendly affairs and are fights he wants en route to a world title shot.

“I’m rated #14 with the WBA now, so one or two fights away really from getting a major shot at someone,” Nevin told ProBoxingFans.

“There’s many bouts there for me, I know Jono Carroll is looking at Carl Frampton, that would be a tremendous fight, but if it doesn’t happen, I’m rated in the top #15 now with the WBA.

“I know it could be a step back for him, but it makes sense for the Irish people to see that fight. It would be a big fight in Ireland,” he continues before name dropping lightweight Tennyson.

“Tennyson is there, there’s many good fights for me there.

“With the Irish audience that’s there, they’d love to see those two fights, it would bring out the crowds when the crowds are allowed back in.”

Nevin, who now trains out of London, was the name on everyone’s lips during a very successful amateur innings, but inactivity has seen him surpassed in the pros.

Both Dubliner Carroll and Belfast fighter Tennyson have challenged Tevin Farmer for the IBF super featherweight world title – and both seem to currently possess higher profiles than the once household name.

That seems to be something the now Jim McDonald trained super feather is keen to change.

“No one every heard of Jono Carroll before John Joe Nevin,” he adds. 

“John Joe Nevin was the name there, Jono Carroll has actually done very well for himself in the pro game and has come through and now he’s well known through the world.

“But again, I think the audience that we’d bring out for them. Me vs Jono Carroll or James Tennyson, them two fights would make sense.

“They’re the fights I want to be in before I go after a title, or maybe who knows for a World title.”

A clash with Tennyson doesn’t look likely as ‘The Assassin’ has lightweight world title ambitions. The destructive puncher will fight Gavin Gywnne in a British title fight live on Sky over this summer – and will then look for fights that will enhance his lightweight world title chances.

‘King Kong’ has yet to confirm what is next for him. He will no doubt be looking to build on his impressive victory over Scott Quigg and if a world title shot isn’t immediately forthcoming he may considering a high profile clash with one of Ireland’s greatest ever amateurs.

When calling out Carl Frampton, Carroll claimed he wanted to beat ‘The Jackal’ to get the credit he deserves in Ireland – he may look at a Nevin fight in a similar fashion.