Prospect John Joyce hails new coach after extending his winning start

John Joyce claims being trained by ‘the best’ will help him become the best as he sets off on his pro journey.

The 21-year-old extremely decorated underage amateur registered his second pro win in England over the weekend and his first under his new coach.

The Moate BC graduate initially teamed up with Scottish coach Billy Nelson after agreeing terms with Frank Warren but is now being trained by Dominic Ingle in Sheffield and the five time European underage amateur champ believes the link up will help him fulfill his potential.

“Training with Dominic is what I need,” Joyce told Irish-boxing.com.

“Dom will bring the best out in me. He is a top coach. I believe he one best coach in the world. I’m only with him eight weeks and I already feel I have improved so much.”

“I’ve loads to learn in this game – as I’m only 22 at end of the month – but I’m in good hands now and as I say train with the best to be best.”

The talented southpaw was speaking after he pushed his record to 2-0 on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s latest IBF featherweight world title defence.

Talented journeyman Jordan Grannum [5-61(0)-2] was never going to beat the Irish fighter, but he was guaranteed to bring him rounds. The London native knows a thing or two about surviving having made it the final bell in all of his 69 fights.

Joyce was aware he wasn’t going to register a first career stoppage on the high profile card, but was more than happy to make the early move to six rounds and to get those six under his belt.

“I felt good at weekend, took my time, relaxed and just got the six rounds in. We expected six rounds, he was never stop before so we took our time. I just listened to Dom and we did what we had to do,” he adds before revealing the specific things he tried to implement on the night.”

“In my first fight I wasn’t focused on myself, my head was all over the place. I was thinking about everyone else, but on Saturday I got into ring focused. That allowed me to be ready and to take my time. I let my skill get me trough the fight more so than trying to kill someone. We wanted the six rounds as I said and we got them.”

Despite Joyce’s talent and amateur background and the fact he fought on a BT Sport world title fight card, his outing last weekend went somewhat under the radar.

With so much action at home – the #MTKFightNight and Celtic Clash 9 – as well as big fights for Tommy McCarthy and TJ Doheny it was easy to overlook the Ingle Gym fighter’s second pro clash.

It raised questions as to whether or not fights on this side of the Irish Sea are on his to do list. However while he wouldn’t knock back the chance to punch for pay here he claims it’s not a major priority.

“A few of my mates boxed over weekend in Belfast, they all done great I see. Look, of course I’d like to box in Ireland but I’m not really bothered where I fight as long as I get into the ring and do what I do best. At the minute it don’t bother me where that ring is. I fought on two Josh Warrington world title cards, which is great for me. It’s great to get my name out there,” he adds before stressing he wants to be out before Christmas.

“I’m hoping to be back out before the year is out. The more I’m out the better I’ll get.”