Nevin, a silver medallist in the bantamweight division at London 2012, was attacked on Saturday (April 5) in his hometown of Mullingar, County Westmeath, after intervening in a family dispute, according to trainer Brian McKeown.

"He went to mediate and try to get things settled," McKeown told Irish broadcaster RTE.

"As far as I am aware, it was a dispute in the extended family."

Following the incident, Nevin was rushed to Mullingar General Hospital before being transferred to nearby Tullamore General Hospital, where he underwent an operation on his injured leg at the facility's specialised orthopaedic unit.

McKeown revealed the 24-year-old called him after the attack and was in a state of shock.

"He told me that he had been attacked and that his leg had been broken," said McKeown.

"The bone was sticking out of his leg at that stage.

"It was an awful happening."

Nevin (left) became a national hero in Ireland following his silver medal at London 2012, where he lost out to Britain's Luke Campbell in the final ©Getty Images



The boxer will be monitored over the next few days and is expected to be released from hospital by the end of this week.

However, doctors have warned that Nevin faces up to three months out before he can begin his rehabilitation.

Nevin made his debut in the professional ranks last month when he defeated Puerto Rico's Alberto Candelaria in Boston on St Patrick's Day (March 17).

His United States-based management team had lined up a number of fights before the end of August but those will now be put on hold until his recovery is complete, with doubts he will fight again before the end of the year.

Following the attack, Irish police arrested two men in connection with the incident but they have subsequently been released without charge.

Nevin, who comes from a traveller background, has been subject to threats and intimidation from local gangs since shooting to fame after London 2012.

His home and car have been attacked in previous incidents, while in recent weeks threatening messages have been posted on social media sites.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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