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Now We’re Moving – John Joe Nevin secures first title fight

John Joe Nevin [13(4)-0] has finally secured his breakthrough chance.

The Olympic silver medallist has had a stop-start five-and-a-half years as a pro boxer, suffering injuries, inactivity, and being unable to build on a good win over Alejandro Rynn in March 2018. Thankfully Nevin will now get the chance to gatecrash the world rankings on a big platform.

It has been confirmed that the Westmeath super feather will take on Nicaraguan southpaw Freddy Fonseca [27(18)-4(1)-1] for the vacant WBA International title at the York Hall in London on Saturday November 16th.

The chief support bout on a Hennessy Sports card, the fight will be shown live on Channel 5.

Fonseca built on the tough Nicaraguan scene before taking on JoJo Diaz in March, losing to the world title challenger via seventh round stoppage. The Central American was last in action in September where he was outpointed over eight by Japanese prospect Masanori Rikiishi.

Mullingar’s Nevin notes how it’s a “first major breakthrough with a serious opponent that can really punch but I’m really looking forward to the challenge and capturing my first belt as a professional.”

“Thanks to my team for getting me this opportunity! Now the rest is up to me.”

Should he win, it is likely that Nevin will be added to the WBA’s rankings at 130lbs. The organisation’s ‘Super’ belt has recently been vacated by Gervonta Davis and is set to be won by Leo Santa Cruz who takes on the overmatched Miguel Flores next time out – however, a legal mess has been mooted with ‘regular’ beltholder Andrew Cancio said to be unhappy with the situation.

The bill in England next month will be topped by a refixed clash between Alex Dilmaghani and Fonseca’s younger brother, Francisco. The show will also feature former St Monica’s amateur Michael Hennessy Jr [2(0)-0-1] in a six-round contest along with Sammy Cantwell, Samuel Antwi, Rhys Edwards, Connor Marsden, Flavius Biea, Lucian Atani, Jeff Ofori, Lewis Smith, Billy Underwood, Jahid Munim, and Alizara Ghadiri.

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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