By Elliot Foster

David Oliver Joyce will make his professional debut in less than two months’ time.

The Irish amateur star made the switch to the paid code earlier this month and inked a managerial deal with MTK Marbella.

Joyce, 30, has world title ambitions as a pro, having boxed at lightweight at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and having won the European featherweight title as an amateur in 2009.

And he now has a date for his pro bow after being added to promoter Frank Warren’s June 17 card at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

“I had a great amateur career but I believe I'll be even better as a professional, a lot of people have told me I've got a great style for the pros,” Joyce said when the announcement of his move to the professional ranks was confirmed.

“The amateurs are shorter and I believe the longer rounds will suit me down to the ground.

“I don't do small things, I do things big and in the next year or two I want to be winning world titles, that's my ambition.”

The bill on which Joyce will make his debut will be aired exclusively live on BoxNation and BT Sport, as part of the partnership with Queensberry Promotions, and is set to be topped by Paddy Barnes, Ireland’s three-time Olympian and 2016 flagbearer, as he vies for the vacant WBO European flyweight title against a foe to be confirmed in just his third fight.

Jamie Conlan, who rose from the canvas in his last fight against Yader Cardoza to win the vacant WBC International Silver title at super-flyweight, is set for a low-key affair ahead of a potential world title eliminator showdown, the card is also blessed with a cracking all-action lightweight clash between Craig Evans and Stephen Ormond as the Welshman defends his WBO European lightweight belt against the Dubliner and there will be action for undefeated prospect Lewis Crocker and Manchester-based Ulsterman Steven Ward who will fight for the first time over six rounds.

Further additions –– and ticket details –– will be revealed in due course.