Who is he? The 29-year-old is a classic come-forward fighter with a potent left hook. Joyce finally booked his ticket for the Olympics after eight years of frustration. He contemplated retirement after several painful close calls due to contentious decisions.
Where’s he from? Joyce is a native of Mullingar. He’s a first cousin of Joe Ward, who will also represent Team Ireland in Rio.
Olympic CV: Joyce is one of the great servants of the sport in Ireland but this is his first Olympics. Rio is certain to be the crowning moment of his career, made all the sweeter after he fell on the wrong end of questionable officiating in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 qualifiers.
Road to Rio: The St Michael’s Athy lightweight (60kg) was within eight seconds of qualifying for the London Games when he was harshly penalised for what was perceived by the referee to be a foul. The point he was docked meant his Indian opponent won the bout by the minimum, but had it finished level Joyce would have won it on count back and boxed in the Olympics.
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After that hammer-blow he almost quit but was tempted back into the sport by the AIBA pro series. Although he didn’t achieve qualification through that avenue, Joyce beat Turkish favourite Volkan Gockek in Turkey in a box-off for defeated semi-finalists in the European qualifiers. In the most important three minutes of his career, Joyce booked his spot on the plane with a split decision victory.
VIDEO: David Oliver Joyce was overcome with emotion after finally sealing a place at an Olympic Games.https://t.co/cWDyA90i9z
When does he start? Ireland’s male boxers fly to Rio today for a 10-day training camp with Brazil and the USA (coached by Billy Walsh). Joyce will make his Olympic bow in the preliminary round on Saturday 6 August.
Where can I follow him? Joyce doesn’t have much of a social media presence but keep up to date with all things Team Ireland here.
What he says: ”It has always been my dream to box at the Olympics. My granny passed away less than a year ago and she always wanted me to become an Olympian. I dedicate this win to my granny. It means the world to me. I’ve been trying since the qualifiers for Beijing in 2007 and for London, and have had a few disappointments.” (Irish Independent, April 2016)
Medal chances? Joyce is priced at around 20/1 with most bookmakers to cap his Olympic fairytale with gold in Rio. Lightweight is a talented division, but he has the skillset and experience to claim a medal.
And here’s something you probably didn’t know… Joyce was a regular sparring partner for IBF super bantamweight world champion Carl Frampton after he turned professional, but they’ve also met inside the ring.
Meet Ireland's Olympic team: David Oliver Joyce
Event: Men’s lightweight boxing.
Who is he? The 29-year-old is a classic come-forward fighter with a potent left hook. Joyce finally booked his ticket for the Olympics after eight years of frustration. He contemplated retirement after several painful close calls due to contentious decisions.
Where’s he from? Joyce is a native of Mullingar. He’s a first cousin of Joe Ward, who will also represent Team Ireland in Rio.
Olympic CV: Joyce is one of the great servants of the sport in Ireland but this is his first Olympics. Rio is certain to be the crowning moment of his career, made all the sweeter after he fell on the wrong end of questionable officiating in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 qualifiers.
Road to Rio: The St Michael’s Athy lightweight (60kg) was within eight seconds of qualifying for the London Games when he was harshly penalised for what was perceived by the referee to be a foul. The point he was docked meant his Indian opponent won the bout by the minimum, but had it finished level Joyce would have won it on count back and boxed in the Olympics.
After that hammer-blow he almost quit but was tempted back into the sport by the AIBA pro series. Although he didn’t achieve qualification through that avenue, Joyce beat Turkish favourite Volkan Gockek in Turkey in a box-off for defeated semi-finalists in the European qualifiers. In the most important three minutes of his career, Joyce booked his spot on the plane with a split decision victory.
When does he start? Ireland’s male boxers fly to Rio today for a 10-day training camp with Brazil and the USA (coached by Billy Walsh). Joyce will make his Olympic bow in the preliminary round on Saturday 6 August.
Where can I follow him? Joyce doesn’t have much of a social media presence but keep up to date with all things Team Ireland here.
What he says: ”It has always been my dream to box at the Olympics. My granny passed away less than a year ago and she always wanted me to become an Olympian. I dedicate this win to my granny. It means the world to me. I’ve been trying since the qualifiers for Beijing in 2007 and for London, and have had a few disappointments.” (Irish Independent, April 2016)
Medal chances? Joyce is priced at around 20/1 with most bookmakers to cap his Olympic fairytale with gold in Rio. Lightweight is a talented division, but he has the skillset and experience to claim a medal.
And here’s something you probably didn’t know… Joyce was a regular sparring partner for IBF super bantamweight world champion Carl Frampton after he turned professional, but they’ve also met inside the ring.
During Frampton’s amateur days in 2009 he won the Irish featherweight title by beating Joyce in the final. Watch the full-fight below:
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David Oliver Joyce Olympic Games Rio 2016 The Jerries