JOHN JOE NEVIN faces a long recovery before he’s fighting fit but the Mullingar boxer is aiming for an autumn return to the ring.

The London 2012 silver medallist was released from the Midland Regional Hospital today and has vowed to return to action and become a world champion.

Nevin was told by doctors yesterday that his left leg was broken following an assault last Saturday. His right leg was also broken in two places.

“I’m happy to be leaving hospital and I’m looking forward to putting this unfortunate part of my life behind me and getting better,” he said today.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support which means a lot to me. [Promoters] Berkeley Sports and Media and GreenBlood have been a great support to me through this tough time and we are now working on the future.”

Nevin’s backers insist the future remains bright for the Westmeath man.

“We remain confident that John Joe is going to be one of the greatest fighters in Irish history,” GreenBlood chief Tom Moran said today in a statement.

“Our schedule has been pushed back a few months, but hopefully, with great rehab, he’ll be fighting a full schedule in the north east Irish market in the USA in the Fall.”

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