Updated 17.45
JOHN JOE NEVIN left it late again before pulling a quarter-final victory out of the fire at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku this morning.
After sealing automatic qualification for the London 2012 Olympics yesterday, the Cavan youngster retained the bantamweight bronze which he won in Milan two years ago with a 19-17 victory over Orzubek Shayimov of Uzbekistan.
It was far from plain sailing for Nevin, however, who looked surprised to find himself 7-4 in arrears at the end of the first round.
Although he clawed back part of that deficit in a tight second round, the Irishman still trailed by two heading into the final three minutes before he summoned a gutsy performance similar to that which saw him turn yesterday’s bout against Otgondalai Dorjnyambuu on its head.
Once again, this late firepower caught his opponent off guard with Nevin taking the final round 10-6, enough to see him awarded a two-point victory on the judges’ scorecards and guarantee another World Championship bronze.
It was a morning to savour for the 22-year-old in more ways than one, who not only avenged defeat by Shayimov in the 2009 President’s Cup final but also ensured his place in the history books as the first Irishman to win two medals at the Worlds.
Next up for Nevin is Luke Campbell of England in tomorrow’s semi-final.
However, it wasn’t all smiles for the Irish in Baku as Kilkenny middleweight Darren O’Neill fell short against the talented Ryota Murata of Japan.
Although the Paulstown man managed to keep pace early on, Murata’s class evenutally shone through and he ran out the winner 18-9.
And later, Michael Conlon was also beaten this afternoon in an epic battle with European champion Andrew Selby of Wales.
The 19-year-old flyweight from St John Bosco BC in Belfast lost the quarter-final by a single point decision – 25-24.
Baku latest: mixed fortunes for Irish in Tuesday’s evening session
