Nevin ready to step up after ‘masterclass’

OLYMPIC silver medallist John Joe Nevin (right) admitted he was disappointed to hear the final bell in his fight against Reynaldo Cajina at London’s York Hall on Saturday night.

The undefeated Mullingar lightweight improved to 11 straight wins after an emphatic eight-round decision over the Nicaraguan.

The victory was Nevin’s second of 2018 and the 29-year-old, who says he is enjoying boxing again, vowed that 2019 will finally be his breakthrough year.

“I could have gone 15 rounds,” said Nevin, who is the only Irish boxer besides Katie Taylor and Michael Conlan to be ranked No 1 in the world in the amateur ranks.

“I put in a masterclass and I’m ready to step up and take on the big boys. All those big names, tell them I’ll be coming for them in the New Year.

“I enjoyed every minute of every round and I’m starting to really enjoy boxing again. I was in control, I kept the pressure on him.

“It’s nice to get the Christmas present early, but I’ll be coming for them (big names) soon. I’m going to try and get on the big shows in the New Year.”

Elsewhere, Kildare super-welter Dennis Hogan (28-1-1) claimed the WBO Inter-Continental and IBF Pan Pacific titles in Brisbane.

The Queesland-based orthodox scored a comprehensives 117-111, 118-110, 119-109 unanimous decision over Wales’ Jamie Weetch.

Belfast middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko-Hynes floored Hungary’s Yasin Hassani twice en route to a points decision over six rounds in Brentwood.