John Joyce – “It’ll be tough, but I reckon I’ll do the business against him”
Welterweight John Joyce [1(1)-0] is ready for an early test as he looks to continue his impressive start to pro life.
Following a one-round demolition in his debut, the Lucan fighter has now been matched with durable Belfast veteran Jamesy Gorman on the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card at the National Stadium this Saturday.
A corporal in Óglaigh na hÉireann, Joyce debuted in May on the ‘Celtic Clash 2: The Rising’ bill and put on a performance so good that even his Army buddies couldn’t slag him.
Poland’s Patryk Jackowiak lasted a grand total of two minutes and 38 seconds, with Joyce’s showing being one of the most impressive on the entire card.
Joyce told Irish-Boxing,com how “people that weren’t there to see me, they were over talking to me, I impressed not only my own fans but other people there too.”
“The lads actually couldn’t slag me over it! I impressed them and they all even said how it was unbelievable how quick I put him away.”
“There’ll probably be a bigger crowd this time.”
Gorman will provide a much sterner test, and Joyce knows that he will be forced to show more than in his debut.
The Tony Davitt boxer described how “I am an aggressive fighter and I do like to come forward. I think it’s quite intimidating for a fighter to see someone like me who’s just relentless and just keeps coming, and I think I’m fit enough to do that, I’m going to have to.”
“With Gorman, because he’s so tough, I’ll have to box, but I’ll box aggressively.”
“I’ve seen a few videos of him fighting. One of my sparring partners, Stephen Carroll, has fought him and Stephen gave me a good lot of tips on how to box against him.”
“It’ll be tough, but I reckon I’ll do the business against him.”
“I suppose this is a bit more high-profile. It’s a step up for me, no doubt.”
Veteran Gorman was an Irish title challenger and Northern Irish champion before going down the journeyman route, and Joyce is wary of going in too aggressive.
The 30 year old explained how “it might sound a bit big-headed, but I think I’m too smart to get sucked into that way.”
“I know quite well that, if I go looking for a knockout, it wont come. It’d just irritate me. I’ll go out and box my game and whatever happens, happens.”
“If it’s there, I’ll take it, it’s like a natural instinct now, if the body is open my hand just goes there.”
“I know I can beat him, but a knockout – if it happens, it happens.”
Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography
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Headlined by the Eric Donovan v Dai Davies BUI Celtic featherweight title fight, the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card also features Regan Buckley v Carl McDonald, Gerard Whitehouse, James Cahill, Stephen McAfee, Martin Quinn, Aiden Metcalfe, Dylan McDonagh, Colin O’Donovan, Chris Mullally, Michael Gallagher, Keane McMahon, Niall O’Connor, John Joyce and Bernard Roe.
Tickets for the show cost €30 (Balcony), €40 (Gallery), €60 (Ringside), €100 (VIP Premium), and €15 (Under-15s gallery – must be bought alongside an adult ticket) and are available to buy from John at 086 1900 203 or online at Ticketmaster.ie.
