Michael Nevin wins European Championship Junior Gold
Michael Nevin completed a Black Sea double with a magnificent gold medal win in the European Junior Championships 66kg final in Anapa, Russia today.
The Portlaoise BC stand out, who claimed 52kg European Schoolboy gold at the Black Sea holiday resort of Anapa in 2012, beat Russia’s Aleksei Semykin on a split decision in a top class decider today.
Both boxers had their moments in today’s encounter, but it was Nevin’s up-tempo skill off the front and back foot and his footwork and textbook left jab that caught the eye and marks him out as one of the most exciting underage prospects on the international circuit.
Irish coaches Billy McClean and Ger McDaid were thrilled with today’s gold medal win.
“It was a fantastic performance from Michael considering that Russia have won most of their finals here today. That just shows you what he has achieved not only today, but throughout the entire week, said Billy McClean.
“Overall, we’re happy with the performance of our squad, our small band of soldiers, here this week. They gave it everything and represented their country with pride and we’re delighted to be taking home three medals.”
Nevin, a six-time Irish champion, won five bouts in six days in Anapa to secure gold. His Portlaoise BC coach Pat Ryan said it was a proud moment for the club.
“He’s an exceptionally talented young kid and we’re absolutely delighted. To put in a performance like that against a Russian, particularly after the decision that went against young Aaron McKenna earlier, in Russia is testament to the team and coaches in Russia.”
Pat Ryan also paid tribute to Hugh Nevin, father of the newly crowned European Junior champion, for his fantastic commitment to his family.
Earlier today, Aaron McKenna was somehow adjudged to have lost his 50kg final on a split decision to Italy’s Damiano Cordella.
McKenna, who spent most of the three rounds in pursuit of the Italian flyweight, had a good first frame. The Old School BC ace found the target with jabs, double jabs and right hooks.
Both boxers exchanged solid rights immediately after the start of the second. McKenna got his double jab moving again midway through the round and also fired home two big right hooks.
Cordella was on the back foot again in the third, with McKenna’s double jabs and hooks consistently finding the target. The Italian teenager responded with hooks off both hands, but most of his shots failed to get beyond McKenna’s high guard.
The verdict left the Irish corner shaking their heads in disbelief.
“We’re disgusted with the decision and I made my views quite clear to the official in charge. We felt that Aaron quite clearly won the bout,” added Billy McClean.
Michael Nevin (gold), Aaron McKenna (silver) and Kieran Molly (bronze) finished in podium positions for Ireland this week. The trio were presented with their medals today.
The Irish squad are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport on Monday morning, November 10th, at 11.35am (LUFTHANSA (LH978) – FRANKFURT DUBLIN 10.30 11. 35
European Junior Championships 2014 Anapa, Russia
November 1st (last 32)
52kg John Nevin (Ireland) beat Pavel Kamanin (Estonia) 3-0
70kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) beat Lazzio Kozak (Hungary) 3-0
November 2nd
50kg Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Mohammed Zeroual (France) 3-0 (last 16)
66kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Alessandro Azzaro (Italy) 3-0 (last 32)
November 3rd (last 16)
46kg Terry McEntee (Ireland) beat Alessionde Leonardis (Italy) 3-0
48kg Shane Flavin (Ireland) beat Burak Tucel (Turkey) 3-0
70kg Brett McGinty (Ireland) lost to Mladen Sobjeslavski (Croatia) 0-3
75kg Blaine O’Brien (Ireland) beat Dmitri Gumen (Moldova) 2-1
80kg James Clarke (Ireland) lost to Nikoloz Begadze (Georgia) 0-3
November 4th (last 16)
52kg John Nevin (Ireland) beat Eetu Viitanen (Finland) 3-0
54kg Andy McDonagh (Ireland) lost to Ahmad Shtwi (Israel) 1-2
57kg James McGivern (Ireland) beat Vladzisdlav Valiavaty (Belarus) 3-0
60kg Oran Keddle (Ireland) beat Michael Terteryan (Denmark) 3-0
63kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Catalin Bitca (Moldova) 3-0
66kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Bulatcan Sahin (Turkey) 3-0
November 5th (Quarter-finals)
46kg Terry McEntee (Ireland) lost to Oleg Chulyacheteyv (Ukraine) 1-2
48kg Shane Flavin (Ireland) lost to Levi Koates (England) 0-3
50kg Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Magomed Magomedbekov (Russia) 3-0
52kg John Nevin (Ireland) lost to Giorgi Manjavide (Georgia) 0-3
57kg James McGivern (Ireland) lost to Anataliy Zhirnov (Russia) 0-3
60kg Oran Keddle (Ireland) lost to Vadim Carajia (Moldova) 0-3
63kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Remo Salvatia (Italy) 3-0
66kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Majej Uremovic (Croatia) 3-0
75kg Blaine O’Brien (Ireland) lost to Georgi Traikov (Bulgaria) 0-3
November 7th S/Finals
50kg Aaron McKenna (Ireland) beat Artura Zunkovski (Lithuania) 3-0
63kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) lost to Artur Mamberger (Germany) 1-2
66kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Ofek Klugman (Israel) TKO3
November 8th Finals
50kg Aaron McKenna (Ireland) lost to Damiano Cordella (Italy) 1-2
66kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Aleksei Semykin (Russia) 2-1
Irish squad
46kg Terry McEntee (Old School)
48kg Shane Flavin (Paulstown)
50kg Aaron McKenna (Old School) (Silver)
52kg John Nevin (Cavan)
54kg Andy McDonagh (St Paul’s, Waterford)
57kg James McGivern (St George’s)
60kg Oran Keddle (St Bronaghs)
63kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) (Bronze)
66kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise) (Gold)
70kg Brett McGinty (Oakleaf)
75kg Blaine O’Brien (Clonmel)
80kg James Clarke (Kilnamanagh)
Coaches: Bill McClean & Ger McDaid
Physio: Niamh Kennedy
R&J: Jim McCarron
