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Slimmed down Davey Oliver Joyce planning worldwide domination


The scales this morning registered their lowest tally for Davey Oliver Joyce [9(7)-0] in over 13 years.

At 124.75lbs, Joyce weighed in for his WBO European featherweight title fight with Scot Stephen Tiffney over a pound under the limit and is ready to make a big statement in Dubai.

The Mullingar puncher faces Tiffney [10(4)-1(0)] at the Emirates Golf Club in the first headline fight of the new Top Rank and MTK Global partnership and sees it as the perfect opportunity.

At 32, time isn’t especially on Joyce’s side but, having dropped down in weight, the Rio Olympian plans on blitzing through the ranks, starting with Tiffney, the first championship fight of his pro career.

‘The Punisher’ promises that “I’m not looking past Tiffney at all. I’m focused on that night and that title. I’m not going to rush anything.”

“I’ve watched him fight once or twice, he likes to fight, he likes to come forward, he likes to throw a lot of punches.”

“He’s a decent guy, I know he’s going to come to fight, I know it’s going to get tough and I’m going to have to bite down. But, when we step inside the ropes, I’m there to take him out, I’m there to win the fight.”

“This fight is going to bring the best out of me and is going to make bigger fights in the future.”

A win tomorrow morning in the United Arab Emirates should see Joyce added to the WBO Top 15 and he will begin to chase current champ and fellow Olympian Oscar Valdez

The reserved former top amateur isn’t calling names but does want his name to become more prominent than it currently is.

Joyce noted how “I won’t say that once I’ve become European champion, I’ll be straight on to a world title shot. I’ll let my management team decide.”

“I’m going to win this, maybe defend it a couple of times and then decide when the time is right. I believe I’ve got the ability and talent to beat any featherweight. I’ll show how good I am on April 5th.”

“This is the first big fight for me as a professional but I’ve already had big stages so I’m used to this and, on the 5th of April it’s all going to stand to me.

“My amateur record shows what I’ve got but I’m probably not as well-known as some featherweight guys who’ve been on Anthony Joshua undercards and the like.”

“I’m going to make my name as a pro, though, just as I did as an amateur. I want to be a worldwide name. I want people to remember me and talk about Davey Oliver Joyce – the European champion, the world champion.”

Part of Pete Taylor’s growing stable at the Colosseum Gym in Ballyfermot, Joyce has also gotten some extra work in this camp in London.

The Westmeath man has been sparring old amateur team-mate Mick Conlan and feels in the shape of his life.

Joyce stated that “this is the best camp I’ve had since turning professional. I’ve been living a clean life and I’ve had some phenomenal sparring. I had some amazing rounds with Michael Conlan over in England – around 50 or 60 rounds.”

“I learned a lot from sparring with Mick and talking to his trainer Adam Booth. I enjoyed it and everything has gone as planned.”

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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