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.

“I have given a big part of my life to Connacht rugby and I feel that it is time for me to have a change and time for the province to have a change as well.

“I want to stress that this has nothing to do with any on field issues or performances or anything off the field.”

Sports Shorts
BOXING: Ireland won a record three gold medals at the 10th European Schoolboy Championships in Russia, with Cork southpaw Oliver McCarthy, Antrim’s James McGivern and Laois’ Michael Nevin all victorious . . .

RACING: Aiden O’Brien’s Camelot failed to deliver and finished seventh as Solemia won the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday . . .

RUGBY: Ulster saw off Connacht by 25 points to no score at Ravenhill to remain on top of the Celtic League table.

GAA Shorts
CORK’s dominance of the All-Ireland Senior Ladies football championship continued when they beat Kerry in Sunday’s Croke Park final to secure their seventh win in eight seasons. Armagh were too strong for Waterford in the intermediate final, while Antrim beat Louth in the junior decider . . .

SKRYNE’S Mick O’Dowd has been ratified as the new Meath football boss. Royals legend Trevor Giles and Sean Kelly will work as part of his backroom team . . .

KILKENNY hurling star TJ Reid faces two months out of action after fracturing his kneecap in the All-Ireland final replay win over Galway . . .

NEW Ross based schoolteacher Aidan O’Brien, a Westmeath native, is the new manager of the Wexford football team . . .

KILDARE midfielder Dermot Earley has undergone another knee operation in his bid to make a full return to the county side . . .

AIDAN O’Rourke, an All-Ireland medal winner with Armagh in 2002, is the new manager of the Louth football team . . .

THE Antrim County Board have appointed Frank Dawson as their new football team boss in succession to Liam Bradley . . .

JAMES McCartan is to continue as manager of the Down senior football team for another three year term . . .

KIERAN McGeeney’s status as Kildare manager has been ratified for another year by the County Board . . .

CONOR Counihan has been offered a new two-year deal to stay in charge of the Cork senior football team.