Nevin progresses in qualifiers

Boxing : Cavan bantamweight John Joe Nevin outpointed Croatian southpaw Ahmeti Mirsad 23-8 to move closer to securing Ireland…

Boxing: Cavan bantamweight John Joe Nevin outpointed Croatian southpaw Ahmeti Mirsad 23-8 to move closer to securing Ireland's second Olympic berth at the penultimate qualifying tournament in Pescara on the Adriatic coast today.

The 18-year-old  forced Mirsad to take a standing count in the second round and said: "I felt good in there and I knew when he got the count I would beat him. I lost concentration in the last round but I'm still learning."

Nevin's teammates Darren Sutherland, David Oliver Joyce, Ken Egan, John Joe Joyce, Conor Ahern and Cathal McMonagle are also in action later today.

Bantamweights, featherweights, welterweights and middleweights can book their place in Beijing by virtue of reaching the finals or claiming third spot.