Photo (above): John Joe battling Jesús Acha Iule Raya of Mexico in 2016 at Sugarhouse Casino (Photo / Daniel Cork / courtesy of Raging Babe)
By Tim McCloskey
Saint Patrick’s Day festivities start early this year with an old-fashioned Irish boxing match.
Undefeated lightweight boxer John Joe Nevin, of Mullingar, County Westmeath will do battle in the ring with four-time Canadian national champion Alex Torres Rynn on Friday, March 9 at the Parx Casino on Street Road in Bensalem, PA in the new Xcite Center.
John Joe Nevin is a member of the Levittown AOH. (Photo / Daniel Cork / courtesy of Raging Babe)
Nevin (9-0 professionally with 4 knockouts) was one of the most decorated amateur boxers in the history of Ireland before turning pro in 2014. He was the five-time Irish National Champion and competed twice in the , earning a silver medal in London in 2012. His final opponent was Englishman Luke Campbell, who is currently ranked 3rd by the WBC.
Nevin also won a gold medal at the European Championships in 2013 and medaled at the World Amateur Championships in 2009 and 2011.
While Mullingar will always be his home, when John Joe is stateside he lives and trains in the Delaware Valley. He stays in Fairless Hills, Bucks County and comes down to the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia for sparring sessions. He has a huge following in the ex-pat community here.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to fight at Parx Casino,” Nevin said.
“Philly has been my second home and where we always get a great Irish following. We expect a great atmosphere and a great fight. This guy is talking trash already. We have two unbeaten fighters, but I intend to ruin his record. This will be a great show to kick off St. Patrick’s season. I appreciate Joe Hand Promotions giving us the opportunity to bring out the Irish and fight on the fight Parx show.”
His opponent is equally confident. Rynn announced the fight on social media in January:
“I’ll break any suspense. On March 9th at the Parx Casino (Philadelphia) I face undefeated Olympian John Joe Nevin of Ireland in an 8 rounder. It will be by far my biggest challenge, but my mentality like always is ‘WIN’. Professionally I feel I have fought the better competition and he may have a tremendous amateur background but this one isn’t three rounds. This will truly be a fan pleasing fight!”
John Joe quickly fired back.
John Joe Nevin with Timmy Sinese, trainer at the Harrowgate Boxing Club in Kensington (photo courtesy of Charles Sgrillo)
“Look at this skinny ass saying I’m not in a three rounder now! I swear I pity the poor fella! What I’m going to do to hi. — his little unbeaten record will be over when the Mullingar Shuffler gets hold of him, that’s a promise! It’s my first rounder rounder but it won’t go eight rounds, trust me kid!”
Nevin later posted a more measured live response.
“This is a message to my next opponent, Alex. I’m not angry at you mate. I obviously respect your record; you are good at your job. I’m good at my job, too. As a matter of fact, I’m the bee’s knees. I’m looking forward to March 9. Let’s give the fans what they want. Roll on, March 9. Have a good camp, mate. Stay well.”