The League One side travel to the DW Stadium today hoping to make an upset by knocking out the present holders who were lucky to scrape past Bournemouth at the third round stage last season.
However Boyce has different ideas and he told the Wigan Evening Post: "It will be a bit strange going into the game as cup holders. The FA Cup has obviously got some great memories for us, and we're all looking forward to the weekend - especially the lads who played at Wembley.
"Hopefully it won't be one of those famous cup upsets, because we are desperate to stay in the competition. We're prowd owners of the FA Cup at this moment in time, and we want to defend it as best we can.
"Everyone will be watching how we get on as the holders, and we want to do it justive. Having worked so hard to bring the up here, we don't want to give it up easily."
Uwe Rosler is expected to make changes for the game with a number of his players nursing minor injuries or in need of a rest following a hectic festive period of fixtures.
The game could well be an opporunity for fringe players to stake a claim for a regular first team spot.
Tickets are still available for the game and the turnstiles will be cash entry for those waiting until the last minute to make their decision on atendance. The game is priced at £10 for adults and £7 for concessions.