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‘The Punisher’ Joyce ready to punish Leigh Wood for poor Golden Contract choice

Davey Oliver Joyce claims he will prove Leigh Wood made a bad call when he chose him as his Golden Contract opponent.

The Nottingham fighter had first pick in the exciting quarter final draw after picking out blue ball #1 from the old school FA Cup draw style velvet bag.

He had the option of EU Champion Carlos Ramos, WBO European ranking title holder Joyce, British Champion Ryan Walsh and Carlos Araujo – who has since pulled out.

As tournament favourite, Walsh was expected to be last picked and considering the fact he is unbeaten as a pro and brings massive amateur pedigree to the tournament most would have surmised Joyce would have been another to try and avoid.

Yet in a bold and ballsy move Wood’s plumped for Joyce straight away. The Mullingar man was obviously surprised and possibly somewhat insulted.

However, he is adamant the Commonwealth champion has made an error and it’s a mistake ‘The Punisher’ is going to punish him for.

In fact the Athy BC graduate is adamant he’ll prove Wood’s pick a disastrous one.

“I am surprised he picked me. He knows what I bring to the game and vice-versa but on fight night, I believe I’ll show I’m a better boxer.

“What will be will be. I’m delighted I was picked. I wanted a red ball because I wanted to be picked.

“This is such a great platform and I’d like to thank MTK Global for giving me this amazing opportunity. Without those guys, none of this would be possible.

“I’m always positive – in the gym and outside of it. I feel really good this week. It’s amazing that he picked me. It’ll be an amazing fight but I’m more than ready for it.”

Along with Wood vs. Joyce, the three other quarter-final pairings are Hairon Socarras vs. Ryan Walsh, Jazza Dickens vs. Carlos Ramos and Tyrone McCullagh vs. Razaq Najib.

Sheffield’s Najib comes in as a late replacement for the Mexican Carlos Araujo who fell ill just before the weigh in.

A bustling undercard stars promising heavyweight George Fox, undefeated starlets Sam Gilley and Mitchell Frearson as well as debutant Randal Barlow.

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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