BOXING Nevin Loses President's Cup Final

Irish bantamweight John Joe Nevin had to settle for silver after losing his AIBA President's Cup final 7-3 to Shayimov Orzubek of Uzbekistan and Asia (2) in Baku, Azerbaijan today.

Nevin, who was suffering from the flu going into the decider, was ahead 3-1 going into the final round but Orzubek found the target six times in the last frame to claim gold and a cash prize of $3,000.

Nevin, who received a cheque for $2,000 for reaching the final, will also share in a $50,000 team prize as his eleven man Europe 2 squad finished on top of the table, edging out Europe 1 by three points.

Two teams from the Americas, Asia and Europe and one team apiece from Africa and Oceania were battling it out for a first prize of $50,000.
Nevin, 20,of the Cavan BC, a bronze medal winner at the 2009 AIBA World Senior Championships, won two bouts and lost one in Baku.
Speaking after today's final the Beijing Olympian admitted that he wasn't 100% fit.

He said: "It's brilliant coming up against the best eight boxers in the world, it's a good format for amateur boxing. The only really pleasing fight I had was the second one against the Kazakhstani.I've been down with the flu a bit and today I had nothing left. I was just boxing and all my energy had drained out with the flu."

The President's Cup is held in honour of current AIBA chief Dr Ching Kuo-Wu.