Boxer Nevin books Beijing ticket

Olympics: Cavan bantamweight John Joe Nevin has qualified for the Beijing Olympics thanks to a semi-final win over Ukrainian…

Olympics:Cavan bantamweight John Joe Nevin has qualified for the Beijing Olympics thanks to a semi-final win over Ukrainian Maksym Tretyak in Pescara, Italy, today.

In a stunning third round the 19-year-old roared back from a 9-11 deficit to take 10-point lead going into the final round, before winning 32-16 after the fourth.

Nevin is the only Irishman to progress after his captain, light heavyweight Kenneth Egan, was beaten 17-13 by Ramazan Magamedau of Belarus.

Light welterweight John Joe Joyce was barrowly beaten 20-25 in his semi-final by European number two Ionut Gheorge of Romania.

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Both Joyce and Egan can still make it if they are successful at the third and final qualifiers in Athens, Greece, in April.