Return is right up there with olympics says nevin

John Joe Nevin says that his successful return to the ring in America on Saturday night "is right up there with the Olympics".

Nevin's comeback fight after suffering two broken legs in an altercation in April lasted just 86 seconds with the Olympic silver medalist knocking out his opponent, Calvin Stifford.

The Mullingar native was much too strong for Stifford, who was making his pro debut. Speaking after the fight, Nevin said that he was "delighted to be back" in the ring.

“I don’t think that Floyd Mayweather would have got back up after that shot, bang, straight on the chin, clean into next week. After what happened, today is right up there with the Olympics; best feeling of my life. It’s great to be back. People may not know how much this means to me after what happened.

“I appreciated every minute of this; the training, the sparring, the weigh-ins, everything. It’s been a very difficult few months, but I have come through it. I cherish all the more after what happened, I told you my dream was to win an Olympic medal and a world title. I’ve achieved one of those ambitions and I will achieve the other.

“I may fight again before Christmas, maybe twice, we’ll see. Right now I’m just delighted to have my second win.”