Michael Nevin moves to within one win of bronze following bruising battle at EU Championships
Michael Nevin was cut and clipped but showed serious grit today to fight his way into medal contention at the European Union Elite Championships in Spain.
Facing German Stephan Nikitin, the underage medal machine outfought his opponent, overcoming a ropey moment or two in the second to eventually dominate and move to within just one win of a first major medal at senior level.
The Portlaoise puncher took centre ring immediately in the first, dictating the action in what was a tactical opener.
Nevin began to open up in the second, throwing combinations but there would be drama when a rather profuse cut opened on the side of his right brow. Deemed to be from a punch, Nevin was allowed to box on but Nikitin was invigorated by the crimson flow and began to swing wildly, clipping the Irishman numerous times. Slipping into a dog fight, Nevin responded, getting on top and throwing and landing big right hands as it went into the final round.
20-year-old Nevin was being implored to box in the corner by John Conlan and Eoin Pluck but continued to be the aggressor and would enjoy his most dominant round in the third, a 10-8 on four of the cards.
It was a unanimous win in the end for the midlander who won every round and who now joins amateur clubmate Wayne Kelly, Kurt Walker, Kieran Molloy, and Kirill Afanasev in the quarters.
Nevin will box to guarantee bronze on Thursday where he will face England’s Carl Fail – a silver medallist at welterweight at the European U22s earlier this year.
Two Irish boxers are in action tomorrow, with Molloy and Kelly boxing for bronze. Westmeath light welter Kelly takes on Dmitry Galogot from the non-EU country of Moldova, a bronze medallist in the last championships in 2014, and Galway welter Molloy faces Italian Vincenzo Arecchia – a Youth Olympic gold medallist and European U22 bronze medallist earlier this year.
EU Elite Championships Valladolid, Spain
November 9th
Prelims (last 16)
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Rosenov Banbakov (Bulgaria) 1-4
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Stefan Ivanov (Bulgaria) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Frazer Clarke (England) 1-4
November 10th
Prelims (last 16)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Ruben Veciunoa (Belgium) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) 4-1
November 11th
Prelims (last 16)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Petr Novak (Czech Republic) 5-0
November 12th
Prelims (last 16)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Stephan Nikitin (Germany) 5-0
November 13th
Q/Finals
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Dmitry Galogot (Moldova)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Vincenzo Arecchiai (Italy)
November 14th
Q/Finals
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Toni Filipi (Croatia)
November 15th
Q/Finals
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Jaroslav Iwanow (Poland)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Carl Fail (England)
Irish squad
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard BC)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal BC)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC)
Team Manager: Stephen Molloy
Coaches: John Conlan & Eoin Pluck
Physiotherapist: Seamus Caffrey
Team Doctor: Jim Clover- Team Doctor
Sports Physiologist: Damian Martin
Referee & Judge: Jim Murrin
