This is the next televised boxing card on the docket; headlining a card in Dubai on Friday, airing on ESPN+. The vacant WBO European featherweight title will be on the line. Neither man is currently ranked top 15 by the WBO (nor any other major org) but will be looking to crack in with a victory here. Joyce, a 32-year-old from an Irish boxing dynasty of which he is among three Olympians (along with cousins John Joe Joyce and Joe Ward), has gone a perfect 9-0 (7) since his pro debut in 2017 but this will be his first consequential step up in class. Tiffney, a native of the working class mining village of Nitten by the Bing (twenty minutes' drive southeast of Edinburgh) signed to MTK Global, is seeking redemption after having lost his bid for the vacant BBBofC Scottish Area featherweight title on points sixteen months ago to unbeaten southpaw countryman Lewis Paulin. They have a common opponent in Arturo "Tarahumara" López Raigosa. Joyce knocked him out in the sixth of scheduled eight last August, while Tiffney outpointed him in his most recent outing this past November on the Burnett vs. Donaire undercard. Joyce vs. Arturo López: This content is protected Tiffney vs. Johnson Téllez: This content is protected
The co-main event will pit Aliu Bamidele Lasisi against Ricardo Blandón in a 12-rounder for the vacant WBC International super flyweight title. Lasisi, originally from Nigeria but now residing in the United Arab Emirates and thus enjoying "home turf" advantage, previously held the Silver version of this belt. Blandón, of Nicaragua, is the current WBC Latino champion at 115lbs.
^ BoxRec for some reason still has Lasisi's opponent as "TBA", but this matchmaking is current as of a couple of hours ago: This content is protected
9-0 (5) Mexican-Aussie super middleweight prospect César "El Tijuanero" Mateo Tapia is on the undercard in an eight-rounder, taking on Gaganpreet Sharma of India.
Incidentally, the bookies actually now have Blandón a 2/3 favorite in the co-main event to upset Lasisi.
Joyce looks excellent but this is his first step up so we dont really know. Tiffney really impressed me v Troy James.I thought he looked a real prospect but I see he has took a loss since.
