Irish welters give their predictions on Noely Murphy v John Joyce
Tomorrow [Saturday] night in Boston we have a big St Patrick’s Weekend all-Irish clash.
On the Murphys Boixng ‘St Patrick’s Clash 4’ card at the House of Blues, Noely Murphy and John Joyce will do battle over eight rounds in the welterweight division.
A quality amateur, Murphy [12(2)-1(0)-1] had a frustrating 2018 with the New York-based pro being beaten by Mikkel LesPierre – who went on to challenge WBO light welter champ Maurice Hooker – before drawing his comeback with Andre Byrd.
The Macroom man [Irish-Boxing.com ranked #4 at light welter] steps up to 147lbs for the fight with Joyce [7(4)-0] who moves into eight-round fights and a major contest for the first time. The Lucan soldier [Irish-Boxing.com ranked #5 at welter] sees himself as an underdog and says he goes into the non-title bout with nothing to lose.
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Ahead of the fight, Irish-Boxing.com got in contact with the other welterweights in the division for their views and their predictions can be seen below.
Paddy Gallagher
15(9)-5(0)
Irish-Boxing.com rank #1
Both lads love a scrap and being the aggressor, Joyce looks to hit the harder of the two and Murphy looks good working with hooks to the body and the head. It’ll be surprising if it goes eight rounds. Murphy hasn’t had a win in his last two fights and America would be his ‘stomping ground’. I’m sure he will be on top form but it’s a big opportunity for Joyce who seems on a good run.
Jay Byrne
9(2)-6(2)
Irish-Boxing.com rank #4 (at light middleweight)
I think it’s a decent fight and I like both lads, genuinely do. I offered both a fight with me for Irish title in Dublin, Joyce’s team turned down and Noel I spoke to personally and he is based in America now and his team have plans. For John, he is similar age to myself, not a massive amount of time left and is travelling to America to fight an eight-round fight against a top guy and ain’t gonna make big money so I don’t see why he wouldn’t fight against, on paper, a lesser guy for the country’s biggest title. But, genuinely, I do have a lot of respect to both lads and wish them both well.
Rohan Daté
7( 5)-0-1
Irish-Boxing.com rank #3
I think will be interesting. I had fought Noel a number of times as an amateur and know how awkward he can be to box. I think with the level of training he has been getting he will be a bit to much for Joyce. But great opportunity for Joyce to make a name for himself. Wish the lads all the best this weekend
Dylan Moran
9(5)-0
Irish-Boxing.com rank #6
I think it’s a great fight, fair play to the two lads. John has a great engine and is really fit and tough, Noely has great amateur experience and has that little bit more pro experience than John. Hard one to call but I think Noely’s boxing IQ will be the deciding factor in the fight.
Keane McMahon
5(2)-0
Irish-Boxing.com rank #7
No predictions but I wish them both the best of luck and would be open to fighting either of them in the near future!
Aaron McKenna
6(4)-0
Irish-Boxing.com rank #8
I don’t know much about Noel Murphy but he has a good record. I done 6 rounds with Joyce at Christmas and he was tough and rugged. If Joyce has prepared well and put in the hard work I would fancy him to edge it. Good luck to both lads.
Tony Nellins
5(0)-0-1
Irish-Boxing.com rank #14
I think Joyce is a rangey fighter who likes to come forward but with murphy i think he’ll need to use those attributes to his advantage and box off the back foot. I don’t think coming forward will do him any favours against Murphy, he’s the better body puncher and he’s decent at using angles – he’s just gotta keep his hands high and watch out for that long left uppercut Joyce throws right and regular. Joyce wins a boxing match, Murphy has to give him no respect and take it to him, apply the pressure from the start. Murphy wins a fight!
Martin Wall
1(1)-1(1)
Irish-Boxing.com rank #16
It’s a tough one to call as both have done exactly what was expected of them to date, granted Noely has a loss but that was to a lad who just fought for a world title and I believe Noel was sparring Maurice Hooker at one point too. Overall I’d say Noel is probably slightly technically better but John is a proper fighter who throws some lovely body shots when he gets going so I think it will come down to who wants it more and I find that hard to call since Noel is coming off a winless two fights and John is one of the hardest trainers around. Head says Noel shades it but heart says John finds a way to wear him down.