IRELAND’S JOHN JOE Nevin was in buoyant form after beating Oscar Valdez Fierro and securing Ireland’s first medal at the London Olympics, declaring: “I want to be the best in the world.

“It’s like that song Queen sings, ‘I Want it All,’ I want every bit of it,” he added.

Speaking to TheScore.ie’s Will Downing, Nevin also revealed he took inspiration from his late cousin, who sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 25.

“He was meant to be here,” he said. “I’d like to thank him because I know it means a lot and he should’ve been here. I said it at his funeral: ‘hopefully he’s with me.’ And I know he’s there.

“He said to me before: ‘You’re the best in the world John Joe, don’t forget that.’ And it was him that inspired me into boxing. The likes of him and ‘my God’ Kenneth Egan, as I call him.

“Some lads wanted me to go professional, but I hung on, and I said hopefully I won’t get off the back of the plane,” he added.

Nevin also had high praise for his opponent, saying:

“Oscar Valdez is a very tough opponent and he’s going to be world champion some day in the professional ranks.”

He continued: “I was extremely disappointed after the first round when it was five all, as I could’ve been up

And the boxer also hinted his best form is yet to come, saying: “Hopefully I can just keep getting better as it goes along.”

Nevin becomes Ireland’s 24th medal winner in history, and while being guaranteed a bronze, is only two fights away from winning gold.

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