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Irish amateur sensation handed exciting debut date after teaming up with big promoter

Frank Warren and Queensbury Promotions have snapped up one of the most decorated underage amateurs in Irish history and handed him an exciting debut date.

Middleweight John Joyce surprised most when he confirmed he was ditching the vest just a month shy of the National Elite championships earlier this year.

Most believed the decorated amateur would stay for the Olympic cycle and push for a spot on the plane to Tokyo.

However the St Michaelā€™s Athy graduate confirmed aĀ  link up with Scottish coach Billy Nelson for an assault on the pros back in January.

Things went quiet on the Joyce front in recent months, but it was today confirmed the 21 year old has signed terms with Frank Warren and has been handed a debut date.

Joyce will punch for pay for the first time on June 16 on the BT Sports broadcast card topped by Josh Warrington and Kid Galahad IBF featherweight world title fight.

 

 

The signing is something of a coup for Warren, who also works directly with recent amateur success stories Caoimhin Agyarko andĀ Ā Karol Długosz as well as Carl Frampton and Lewis Crocker.

john joyce

The Moate middleweight went on an incredible run at the start of the decade that left him as, arguably, the most successful Irish underage boxer ever.

With the headguard on, Joyce won nine national titles, European Schoolboys gold (2011) and bronze (2010), European Junior gold (2013), European Youth silver (2014) and bronze (2015). Indeed, the only year where he didnā€™t win available honours in Europe was 2012 when he was edged out in the quarter-finals of the Juniors by the eventual gold medallist.

As an Elite, Joyce found his progress blocked, losing in his two entries into the Irish Seniors by eventual champions Michael Oā€™Reilly and Emmett Brennan.

As a pro Joyce has been working with the EngageBoxing stable in Airdrie, Scotland, alongside Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole, Caldercruix super middle David Brophy, and Kelty featherweight Craig Morgan.

Speaking to Irish-boxing.com when he initially decided to turn over Joyce predicted a successful pro career.

“In the long term I believe Iā€™m going tp be the best middleweight in the World and I believe I can beat anybody in the world when Iā€™m 100%.

“But actions speaks louder than words so I have to go out there and prove it!”

dpg

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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