Ireland’s John-Joe Nevin booked his place in the final 16 of the bantamweight event in Beijing with a convincing 9-4 victory over Abdelhalim Ourradi of Algeria.

The 18-year-old from Mullingar was never in any real trouble against his more experienced opponent and boxed his way to victory despite a two-point penalty.

An explosive opening to the fight saw Nevin take the fight to his opponent, in a more aggressive frame of mind than his usual counter-punch style. But despite throwing several solid looking flurries, both boxers failed to score in the opening round.

Ourradi was becoming visibly frustrated and began to lean in with his head and shoulders, inducing Nevin into a series of clinches for which his opponent was awarded two points. But the referee levelled up the penalties when he awarded Nevin two points seconds later.

A strong right-hook from the Irishman left the scores at 6-4 at the end of the second round.

Nevin started the final round strongly, tagging his opponent to take a three point lead and forcing an increasingly desperate Ourradi to come onto him more, allowing the Mullingar man to pick him off with ease.

A second two-point penalty against Ourradi ended the Algerian’s hopes and helped Nevin claim his place in the final 16.