Driven on by memories of last year’s Commonwealth Games success, boxer Joe Joyce admits he is hungry for more, starting with this summer’s inaugural European Games.

Joyce climbed the top spot of the medal rostrum at Glasgow 2014 after defeating Australian Joseph Goodall in the super heavyweight final.

That performance helped England top the boxing medal table, with Northern Ireland in second and Australia third.

Joyce has not rested on his laurels this year either, recording six wins and just one defeat for the British Lionhearts in this season’s World Series of Boxing (WSB).

His next assignment in the ring will be the European Games in Baku from June 12-28 having been named among the 13-strong Great Britain boxing team.

And the 29-year-old insists another gold is firmly on his radar as he looks to build upon his experience of multi-sport events.

“I’m really looking forward to Baku and being part of another Games and staying in the village,” he said.

“Last year’s Commonwealth Games was the biggest event I had ever been to. I’d been to European and Worlds but it did not really compare to the Commonwealth Games scale of things.

“You had the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony, the village, it was just great to be a part of it all.

“It gave me a taste of success and it’s something I want to continue.

“I’m just really looking forward to representing Team GB at Baku and winning gold. It will be a great medal to add to my collection. Gold is the one I am after definitely.”

While last year’s experiences in Glasgow provided Joyce with a launchpad for further things to come, the long-term amateur aim is success at the Olympic Games in Rio.

He missed the chance for automatic qualification when he finished second in the super heavyweight WSB rankings behind Croatian Filip Hrgovic.

But Joyce knows all is not lost, with success in Baku moving him another step closer to Rio.

“The WSB was great for experience and getting to box in different countries. It’s been a good season for me,” he added.

“It was disappointing not to gain automatic qualification for Rio. It was a really close call and went right up until the final fights.

“The disappointing thing is the guy that went through, I beat him in my first season, and should have beaten him this year.

“Obviously it’s a longer route I have to take now to qualify but I’m as determined as ever. I have to perform strongly in Baku and then I’ll qualify for the Worlds and that will give me another go for Rio.”

© Sportsbeat 2015