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 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. 

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