Mixed Fortunes For Ireland’s Boxers

John Joe Nevin has traded-in his Olympic bronze medal for a place in the Bantamweight final.

The 23-year-old from Mullingar fought, and beat the reigning World Champion after a classy performance in the first of today’s semi-finals at the Excel Arena.

Nevin won every round on his way to a 19 points to 14 win over Lazaro Alvarez Estrada.

He’ll now have to face home favourite Luke Campbell in tomorrow night’s final.

But, Michael Conlan has missed-out on a place in the Olympic final.

The 20-year-old Flyweight lost out to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana by 20 points to 10.

There was more disappointment for Paddy Barnes, who once-again found that his route to an Olympic final was blocked by China’s Shiming Zou.

Barnes admitted afterwards that his first round performance is what cost him the bout as he lost in the narrowest possible fashion – the judges gave it to Zou by 45 points to 44 on a count-back.