Boxers" Beijing dream is still alive

It was Johnny Joyce who led the local charge, taking on bogeyman, Gyula Kate from Hungary for the fourth time in his relatively short international career. Lightwelterweight, Johnny, who boxes out of the St. Michaels Club in Athy, lost to Kate in the World Championships in Chicago last year and also came out on the wrong end of two meetings in the European Championships.But the 20 year Mullingar man was undaunted and at a post fight conference said he had worked on his strategy in the twenty four hours leading up to the contest. The previous two meetings with Kate were analysed in detail by Johnny and the Irish team"s sports psychologist, Gerry Hussey, in whom young Joyce places a great deal of trust.'Gerry has been my legend,' Johnny told the assembled media. 'I always do well when he is here.I lack belief sometimes but once I believe in my potential, I can do anything'.If Johnny felt any misgivings as he stepped in to the ring at the Beijing Workers Indoor Arena on Sunday morning, there was no evidence of same as Joyce quickly got the measure of the older Hungarian fighter.The tactics worked a treat. The young Mullingar ambassador set out his stall, advancing to score and moving constantly. Showing maturity beyond his tender years, Joyce clipped Kate with telling shots and claimed the opening round 3-2.The Hungarian upped his performance somewhat in the second two minute round and the pair shared the four points from the judges, to leave Johnny marginally ahead. 'I could see it in his eyes that he was weak after the second round. In the last couple of fights he had me gone in two rounds'.Sensing the opportunity to claim a first victory over his Eastern European opponent, who is ranked eighth in the world.And Johnny really upped the ante in the third catching Kate repeatedly, with the judges marking it 3-0 to the young Mullingar man. Facing the ignominy of an opening round defeat, Kate tried everything to get back into the contest in the final two minutes, knowing that he would need a big hit to turn the tide.But Joyce had learned more from the three previous meetings and as the Hungarian tried his damnedest, Johnny made sure to stay out of the way of Kate"s venomous right hook. When the final bell rang, a delighted Joyce had rewritten the history books, recording a famous 9-5 victory.In the moments after his marvellous victory, Johnny responded to a congratulatory text from Westmeath Examiner Sports Editor, John FitzSimons.Delighted with his victory, Johnny said: 'I have finally beaten him (Kate). It took me until I got to the Olympics to beat him. That"s my fourth time to box him. Thanks again for all the support'. Simple words from an unassuming young man as he pursues his Olympic dream.The Olympic dreams of Mullingar"s two boxing heroes, John Joe (Johnny) Joyce and John Joe Nevin remain very much alive following two very convincing first round victories in Beijing. On Sunday morning, Johnny Joyce caused a big upset when he outpointed his long time adversary, Gyula Kate from Hungary while John Joe Nevin, the youngest member of the Irish team looked very composed as he ended the hopes of Algeria"s Abdelhalim Ourradi on Tuesday.Nevin came through with flying colours early on Tuesday afternoon, securing a 9-4 victory with two of Ourradi"s points coming courtesy of a warning. His victory was as impressive as that of Johnny Joyce who finally ended a three fight losing sequence to Kate just over forty eight hourse earlier.Having successfully come through their opening round fights, there are high hopes that the two young Mullingar men can progress even further when they return to the ring later this week and judging by these two performances, the dream of an Olympic medal remains very much alive.As we go to press we understand that Johnny Joyce will be back in action on Thursday and John Joe Nevin will take to the ring on Friday.US interestMeanwhile US boxing promoters have been expressing interest in both Joyce and Nevin, according to the US station NBC journalist and top exec Kevin Monaghan, whose wife is from Mullingar.