The 23-year-old from County Westmeath was involved in one of the best fights of the London 2012 boxing competition as he faced off against British rival Luke Campbell in a thrilling gold medal match at ExCeL, where he was narrowly beaten 14-11.

The win came after Nevin had defeated the reigning bantamweight world champion Lázaro Álvarez of Cuba 19–14 in the semi-final.

But despite offers to remain amateur, the double World Championship bronze medallist is set to turn professional with Super Fight Promotions, the newly formed company run by former light welterweight world champion and Athens 2004 Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan.

John Joe Nevin has turned professional with Super Fight Promotions run by Amir Khan

"I got a great offer to stay on as an amateur," said Nevin, who was being lined up to join the new International Boxing Association (AIBA) boxing competition AIBA Pro Boxing (APB), which will allow fighters to compete professionally but retain their Olympic eligibility.

"It was €60,000 (£49,000/$79,000) a year for four years, and then the chance of going to the Olympics.

"It would end up at €240,000 (£194,300/$313,170) over the four years, and if I got a medal, I would get an extra €10,000 (£8,090/$13,040).

"It was a great offer but I set myself a target of winning an Olympic medal and I got that.

"Now I want a world title - a professional world title."

Khan admitted he is excited to have secured the services of the Irish star.

"When I saw John Joe Nevin at the Olympics he really impressed me and I knew right away he was a real talent," Khan said.

"He's slick, moves well and has a lot of attributes that I know will take him very far as a professional.

"I'm extremely pleased that we have managed to bring him to Super Fight Promotions because he's exactly the type of young, exciting and gifted talent we want under our banner."

As well as Nevin, Khan has also signed his younger brother Haroon Khan to Super Fight Promotions after he also decided to turn professional.

Haroon Khan, the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, has also turned professional with his older brother’s Super Fight Promotions

The 21-year-old took a flyweight bronze medal at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games while fighting for Pakistan.

He chose to fight for Pakistan after being overlooked by England's selectors but beat Britain's Andrew Selby, who was picked ahead of him, en route to his medal.

But despite being tipped to win a medal at London 2012, he was declared ineligible for selection for the Pakistan boxing team by AIBA due to the fact that he had represented England at youth level.

"He's got a lot of talent and I know he can achieve a lot," said Amir.

Haroon explained: "I've always wanted to turn professional and to do so under Super Fight Promotions was an opportunity that I couldn't turn down.

"I have big ambitions but will take things a step at a time.

"I know I've got the best team behind me who have that experience to help guide my career to the very top."

Amir added he was delighted to sign his younger brother.

"His amateur record will serve him well and I have no doubts his decision to turn professional will prove to be a very fruitful one," he said.

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