David Oliver Joyce has become the latest member of Ireland's Rio 2016 boxing team to turn professional.
The 30-year-old has become the fourth member of the eight-person team to leave the amateur discipline, following a disappointing Olympic Games for Ireland's boxers. He follows in the footsteps of Olympic medallists Katie Taylor, Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes in joining the professional ranks.
Joyce will become a team mate of Paddy Barnes, under the tutelage of Matthew Macklin's MTK Global. He is to continue as a Lightweight, after reaching the Last 16 of that weight class in Brazil last summer.
Happy to announce. That iv turned over to the pro game. With MKT. big things ahead. Looking forward yo it. pic.twitter.com/8s5NzC6Ml8
— Daveyoliverjoyce (@daveyoliver101) April 17, 2017
"I had a great amateur career but I believe I'll be even better as a professional, a lot of people have told me I've got a great style for the pro's. The amateurs are shorter and I believe the longer rounds will suit me down to the ground."
After a glittering amateur career, Joyce has his sights now set on winning a World title as a professional. Starting at 30, he knows his time in the paid ranks will be limited.
"I don't do small things, I do things big and in the next year or two I want to be winning world titles, that's my ambition."
"I've been wanting to turn professional since returning home from the Olympic Games and I'm delighted to do so with MTK and look forward to working with them", Joyce added.
Details of the Mullingar fighter's professional debut will be confirmed in the near future.
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