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Murphy manager feels Joyce clash the perfect fit for Boston


Fights involving Irish fighters are becoming ‘a must’ around St Patrick’s Day particularly on the East Coast claims Noely Murphy’s manager, Kevin Crowley.

Crowley’s man faces John Joyce on a March 16th Murphys Boxing card in the Boston suburb of Lowell and, while a bout between emerging fighters with solid records is always attractive to promoters, the manager suggests the Irish element plays a part.

Murphys have used the likes of Spike’ O’Sullivan, Ray Moylette and Niall Kennedy for annual Paddy’s Weekend cards, while Michael Conlan has taken over New York on what looks likely to be annual event around the same date.

Now Eddie Hearn is flying the tricolour and has Katie Taylor and Jono Carroll fighting in world title fights in Marching Philadelphia – with John Joe Nevin also on that card and suggestions that more Irish fighters are set for spots on the bill.

Indeed, it looks like Irish-influenced fight nights Stateside will be become as popular as St Patrick’s Day parades, and Cork’s Crowley believes this to be the case.

“This is a great fight for Ireland but I think it’s also a great fight for Boston on Paddy’s weekend and I know it will get a great response from the crowd,” Crowley told Irish-Boxing.com. 

“Promoters like to see lads with good records fighting each other over there no one takes notice of you beating a guy with 30 losses.”

“U.S. promoters also love having an Irish flair to there shows around Paddy’s Day. It’s nearly a must, especially on the East Coast where you have a large Irish population.”

“I think what Murphys get out of it is a lot of interest from Dubs and Corkonians living in Boston. I’m sure they will come out to support.”

For Lucan’s Joyce, this is his first trip to America – indeed, his first fight outside of Ireland – while Murphy is well acclimatized to things on the other side of the Atlantic having fought for most of his career out there, living in Woodlawn, New York.. 

However, Crowley doesn’t see that as any particular advantage.   

“I don’t know if it’s an advantage to Noel that he fights in America. He has never had a fight in Boston either so it will be new to him as well,” reasoned the fight boss.

“But I know it will be a full house it always sells out that weekend and will have loud crowd so I suppose it’s up to John and Noel to have the right mindset for it.”

Having had a bit of a nightmare 2018 in which he agonisingly lost out to Mikkel LesPierre, who challenges for the WBO light welterweight title in March, before drawing his comeback with the tricky Andre Byrd, Crowley claims the time was right for Macroom Murphy to take a leap and another big fight.

The manager believes ‘The Demogorgon’ Joyce, who has received some criticism from his Irish-based rivals for going overseas, is a strong challenge. However, he claims that 24-year-old Murphy is too experienced to be phased by the challenge.  

Crowley explained that “Noel needs a challenge after his last fight. We believe he needs a step up and he likes fighting guys with good records.”

“This is Noel’s fourth opponent with undefeated record so that won’t bother him at all he’s really looking forward to it,” he adds before stressing a fight which was first mooted via Irish-boxing.com was made without issue.

“This fight was easy to make because both fighters and both managers wanted the it.  Everyone was on the same page the money was agreed and a few phone calls and it was done.”

While Crowley confidently predicts a Murphy win, he admits he doesn’t know too much about the undefeated Dubliner other than he will be fit and motivated by the platform.

“We don’t know a whole lot about Joyce we can only go on what we see on YouTube but looks like he will come to fight hard and with his army background he will be fit and ready to go.”

“It’s an opportunity for him to showcase himself in the States as well so Noel will not be taking him lightly at all.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish  (@ThefIrish)

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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