Published: Thursday, 26th February, 2009 4:40pm

Joyce in action against USA

The newly crowned Irish elite national senior 91kg+ champion David Joyce is straight back into action this weekend when he faces one of the biggest tests of his career to date.

David will represent Ireland in a senior international against the USA who are sending over a very strong team with Michael Hunter Jr, winner of the bronze medal at the Under 19 World Championships in Morocco his opponent.

In 2007 Hunter, now based in Las Vegas narrowly outpointed two-time winner Mike Wilson to win the US championships. At the World Championships in Chicago 2007 Hunter beat Kurban Günebakan 30-7 and Jasem Delavari 19-13 before losing 15-22 to world number one and European champion Islam Timurziev of Russia. Hunter is a son of the late Mike "The Bounty" Hunter, whose professional record includes victories over Pinklon Thomas, Tyrell Biggs, Oliver McCall, Jimmy Thunder, and Alexander Zolkin.

David, a former European schoolboy champion and now the holder of eleven All Ireland national titles, will enjoy the prospect of pitting himself against such a highly rated boxer in a season which still has so much at stake for the national champions.

Following a decision taken at Central Council in January, this year"s Senior Champions at all weights will represent Ireland at the International versus USA at the National Stadium and they will also represent Ireland at the EU Senor Championship to be held in Denmark in June.

Following this an Open Senior Competition will be held at the National Stadium on Friday, July 10, with the finals on July 17 to determine the Irish team for the Dublin Multi-Nations from July 27 to July 31 and also the World Senior Championships in Milan in September.

The good news for Moate Boxing Club does not stop there as Joe Joyce, runner up in the senior championships is the second choice for international selection and could be in action against the USA in Athy on March 1 in the second international undertaken by the touring USA team.