On the road again- DOJ to defend title on ‘landmark’ Kazakh card

David Oliver Joyce will continue his global adventure as he jets off for a second consecutive fight.

The former Athy BC fighter found himself trading leather in Dubai in April where he claimed the WBO European featherweight ranking title with victory over Scott Stephen Tiffney.

Now having topped the bill that launched the Top Rank and MTK Global partnership the Mullingar man is on the road again. 

‘DOJ’ will populate a card that is being hailed as a ‘landmark event’ in Kazakhstan on July 6. 

The Peter Taylor trained fighter is a on card hosted at the Barys Arena in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan on the Day of the Capital City with 13,000 set to attend and witness boxing history.

ESPN+ will broadcast the event across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico with iFL TV also on-hand to ensure viewership across the rest of the world.

Joyce will defend his WBO strap, but against who has yet to be confirmed.

Zhankosh Turarov will top the card and Nordine Oubaali will also appear. 

In addition, a who’s who of elite Kazakh talent will look to capture the imagination on the night with the undefeated sextet of Sultan Zaurbek, Viktor Kotochigov, Ali Baloyev, Abilkhaiyr Shegaliyev, Nurtas Azhbenov and Abay Tolesh all in action.

“There are few nations developing as much great young talent as Kazakhstan,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “July 6 in Nur-Sultan – live on ESPN+ – is the start of something special for Kazakhstan boxing, and Top Rank is proud to be working with MTK Global on this exciting venture.”

Head of MTK Kazakhstan Askar Salikbayev said: “This is phenomenal news for everyone – for the country of Kazakhstan, for MTK Global, for the fighters and for the fans.

“The Day of the Capital City, in Nur-Sultan in 2019 will go down as a night of true breakthrough for the sport of boxing in Kazakhstan and we are all very proud to be playing a part in it.”

Advisor for MTK M.E & Asia Ahmed A. Seddiqi added: “This is a special moment and the night itself will be even more special as some of the world’s leading talents put on a showcase in this boxing stronghold.

“The days of Kazakh fighters having to leave their homeland in search of glory and depriving their fans of joining them on the journey will end with this event. We are here to build something lasting.”