AmateurHeadline News

“Every boxer gets caught” – Knockdown no problem for Elite Senior champ Michael Nevin


Michael Nevin admits that he may have underestimated the challenge of the National Elite Senior Championships, but is determined to now begin an era of middleweight dominance in Ireland.

The Portlaoise 19-year-old entered his first ever Irish Seniors with an almost legendary reputation following a stellar underage career. However, Nevin did not have the procession to the middleweight crown that some had expected.

A warning shot was landed bang on the chin in the semi-finals, with Gerard French inflicting a count. Then, in the decider on Saturday, Nevin was put down hard in the opening round by a discombobulating, cuffing clip round the ear.

Again the Laois stylist regrouped well, but McGinty continued to have success with heavy single shots, before a strong finish from Nevin who claimed a 4-1 split decision win.

A much tougher than expected fight for the heaviest favourite of the night, Nevin conceded afterward that, following a year of competing in multi-nations, he was not expecting such tough competition at home.

The triple European gold medalist at underage level was however happy with how he dealt with adversity.

Nevin explained to Irish-Boxing.com “I got caught in the first round, caught with a very good shot. Most people probably wouldn’t have gotten up from that shot, but I got up, and stayed composed, stayed relaxed, and kept going.”

“[Pat Ryan, coach] told me it was just one shot, to get back out and just outbox him.”

“I ended up outboxing him for the last two rounds – and even in the first round I was outboxing him.”

Used to boxing in far-off countries or in a near-empty National Stadium, Nevin loved the buzz of an Irish Senior finals night, live on RTÉ

He described how “I liked it, all the cameras. I had a small bit of nerves, but once I got in the ring I was grand.”

“I enjoyed it, I thought I boxed well but I just got caught with one shot. Every boxer gets caught.”

Next up for Nevin is a training camp with his fellow champions in America before a number of multi-nations tournaments throughout the year as well as perhaps EU and Four Nations championships which are both rumoured to be returning.

Nevin outlined how “I’m going to take the weekend off and then train hard from Monday on, get back to the basics, work on my technique, work from the start then I’ll go over to America and win some more multi-nations.”

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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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