Nevin yet to sign pro contract

After his high profile announcement on RTÉ it seemed definite that boxer John Joe Nevin was turning professional, but it has emerged this week that the Olympic silver medallist's future is still up in the air.Nevin seemed certain to join the professional ranks when he appeared on RTÉ 1's Saturday night show on October 6 with English boxer/promoter Amir Khan. During the interview promoter Khan indicated that John Joe's maiden professional bout would take place in Manchester's MEN Arena in January.However, speaking to Ray D'Arcy on Today FM on Monday morning, the in-demand bantamweight revealed that he hadn't signed any contract and might yet remain amateur."There's other offers coming in and things, from the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) as well. I announced my decision but as it stands I've nothing signed, you know. As it stands so far, I'm still in talks with them."According to reports, the world body for amateur boxing, the AIBA, is about to offer a place to Nevin in its new professional style competition, which is set to be introduced in 2013.Boxers who sign up for the AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) competition will be paid a salary, but will be able to retain their amateur status and compete in the Olympics. The AIBA hope that this will help clean up the image of professional boxing, which has taken a battering in recent years.When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner yesterday (Tuesday), John Joe said that he would be making an announcement about his career on Friday.