Ireland’s medal prospects for the Rio Olympics could be weakened with the news that John Joe Nevin has indicated he is ready to turn professional.
By Declan Whooley
The Mullingar man had begun discussions with Sauerland Promotions in Germany prior to the London Games, but the Irish Independent understands that Nevin did not discuss terms of a contract or a signing on fee.
With his success in London, the company has been in constant contact with the 23 year-old bantamweight boxer over the past three weeks and has reportedly offered to double the initial signing-on fee.
“They [Sauerland] had been in talks with me before the Olympics in February. The offer was good that time,” he told reporters. Nevin has been honest in his plans and says that the Sauerland are sending through a contract tomorrow which he will give serious consideration to if the offer to remain amateur is not right.
Nevin has stated he would love the chance to go one step better in Rio and take a coveted gold medal, but it seems like the professional dream is just a few steps away from reality.
“I’d love to be world champion at professional, it’s one of my dreams. Also, now, I’ve got my Olympic medal. I’ve done what I wanted to as an amateur.”
No one would begrudge the bantamweight fighter a shot at becoming a professional after such an outstanding achievement in London, though he would obviously be a huge loss to the amateur game in Ireland.
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