Sports Digest: Olympian boxer John Joe Nevin to turn pro

Olympic silver medalist John Joe Nevin has confirmed that he is turning pro and signing for a new management company led by British star Amir Khan.Bantamweight Nevin made the announcement last weekend when he appeared on television in Dublin with Khan.

The Mullingar native said, “I would like to win a world title and this is the route that I need to take. I am excited for the future and looking forward to continuing my relationship with my trainer Brian McKeown and working with Khan promotions.

“I decided to go with Amir as he is a professional boxer and understands the professional game.

“He himself was an Olympic medalist so he has gone through the transition from amateur to professional. I’m looking forward to my first professional fight in the new year.”

Khan said, “When I saw John Joe Nevin at the Olympics he really impressed me and I knew right away he was a real talent.

“He’s slick, moves well and has a lot of attributes that I know will take him very far as a professional.

I’m extremely pleased that we have managed to bring him to Super Fight Promotions because he’s exactly the type of young, exciting and gifted talent we want under our banner.

“We have high hopes for him and under Super Fight Promotions he will have the best platform in which to fulfill his enormous potential.”
 
Rory vs. Tiger in Turkey
RORY McIlroy and Tiger Woods are playing for big money at the World Golf final event in Turkey – but the Ulsterman insists there is no great rivalry between the pair.

Speaking at the launch of the $10 million event, McIlroy stressed, “This will be the first match where we have played against each other head-to-head compared to individual stroke play so it should be fun, and it’s a match I would really like to win.

“But while I would rather be a part of this than not, I’m in a great position being compared to Tiger.

People who watch sports want to see some form of rivalry between myself and Tiger but I don’t see it as that’s what Tiger and I have.

“I am just pleased to be mentioned in the same conversation with Tiger. I’m looking forward to tackling Tiger as everyone knows he’s been a hero of my growing up.”

McIlroy plays this week for the first time since Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup success over America at Medinah.

He added, “I am still trying to come down from the high of the Ryder Cup but it’s just nice to be here.
“I haven’t touched a club since the Ryder Cup and I’ve just been chilling out with my girlfriend Caroline (Wozniacki) so I will get to the golf course early and see if my game is still there.”

Elwood to Retire
ERIC Elwood has confirmed that he will step down as Connacht coach at the end of the current season.

After three years in the job he said, “I have come to this decision after thinking long and hard about what is best for me and also what is best for Connacht.

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Nster.com