Former British Lionheart and Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce believes that Great Britain boxers have every chance of reaching the podium at the upcoming EUBC European Boxing Championships.
Great Britain will take a 13-man squad to the championships in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with Rio Olympians Pat McCormack and Galal Yafai expected to lead the medal charge.
The pair will be joined by eight other English fighters, including Niall Farrell, Peter McGrail, Calum French, Ben Whittaker, Tom Whittaker-Hart, Cheavon Clarke, Frazer Clarke and Pat’s brother Luke McCormack.
Three Scottish fighters – Lee McGregor, John Docherty and Scott Forrest – complete the 13-man squad for the event, which could see British names qualify for the World Championships in Hamburg, later this year, should they medal.
And Joyce, who is the only British male to have won a ‘grand slam’ of medals at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and the Commonwealth Games, is confident that the team can come away with a few of their own.
“I’m sure there will be a few medals from the Europeans. I think they can all go to Ukraine and get something, for sure. They’ve all got the skills, so good luck to them,” said the 31-year-old, speaking at Clapham Fest, a British Lionhearts boxing community event in South London.
“All of the team who went to Rio could have medalled. We were all top-level fighters.
“It was unfortunate that some of my team mates got tough draws and they didn’t pull through and get a medal. But I think all of them have the potential to go on and do big things.”
Joyce, who is soon expected to announce full details of his professional debut, claims his own experience on the World Series of Boxing (WSB) circuit has facilitated the transition from amateur to professional training.
“It’s not such a big step up, but there’s a kind of transition period because you get into a routine going to Sheffield and training with the Olympic team,” he added.
“The transition to professional involves a new routine where you’re picking up new skills.
“When I made the Lionhearts team in 2012, I was sparring with Anthony Joshua leading up to his Olympics in London, and when he turned pro I helped him out with his sparring and he helped me out with mine, especially leading up to major championships and his pro fights leading up to his world title shot.”
Joyce spent the day in Clapham talking to aspiring young boxers and showing off his Olympic silver medal, something he was more than happy to do.
“It’s great to be an inspiration for younger people coming through and giving them something to aspire to and work to achieve something, like winning a medal,” he added.
“I didn’t get to see an Olympic medal until I won one – I hadn’t even held one, so I keep it close to my heart and don’t mind showing it around.”
