Ward and Joyce Build up to crucial APB bouts

Uzbekistan’s Hurshid Tojibaev, a Beijing 2008 Olympian, and France’s Mathieu Bauderlique are in line to meet David Oliver Joyce and Joe Ward in AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) next month or in April at venues to be confirmed.

Ward and Joyce won and lost in their APB bouts in Sofia, Bulgaria and Astana, Kazakhstan last weekend, Ward beating Bulgarian light-heavy Spas Genov, but Joyce losing on a majority decision to Russian southpaw Dmitry Polyanskiy.

If Ward and Joyce, beginning with their next bouts, win their next two fights they will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Bauderlique racked up nine straight wins in the pro ranks – Genov recorded seven pro wins before meeting Ward last weekend – before signing for APB.

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