Boxing had not returned to the central Roland-Garros for nearly half a century and the evening could not begin without a tribute to the most illustrious ambassador of this sport and the most famous lover of the place. Even if his chair remained empty, everyone this Friday evening had a thought for Jean-Paul Belmondo. The 8,500 spectators paid him a vibrant tribute, yet another. A lodge, the lodge he occupied for so long on the Philippe-Chartrier central, now bears his name. Bébel will forever be associated with Roland-Garros and he is the first non-tennis player to have this honor. Combining boxing, tennis and Roland-Garros on the day of his burial: that's what, up there, must have made him laugh.
He must also have tasted the performance of a boy he has supported since his debut: Tony Yoka. Under the eyes of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron who slipped to the front row during the evening and seemed to appreciate, the Olympic heavyweight champion in Rio 5 years ago overpowered his evening opponent, the 11th of his career. Strong and much less tender than expected, the Croatian Petar Milas has done quite well. True boxer sharpened to silence the comments on the previous opponents of the French, Milas held the blows. Only, he had in front of him a serious Tony Yoka, applied and concentrated. Relieved of a few kilos during his preparation which make him faster and more powerful, Tony Yoka is still undefeated after having won by stoppage of the referee in the 7th round.
“I was keen to win a great victory for Mr. Belmondo, reacted just after his victory Tony Yoka in the middle of the ring.
Since my beginnings, he has always accompanied me ”.
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) an French boxer Brahim Asloum (R) attend an EBU European Union heavyweight title boxing match between France's Tony Yoka an Croatia's Petar Milas at the Rolan-Garros complex in Paris on September 10, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) AFP or licensors
Before him, Mathieu Bauderlique and Souleymane Cissokho also did the job. The two bronze medalists defeated two Russians. The Northerner the vacant European light heavyweight belt against the Russian Igor Mikhalkin who gave up fighting the start of the 8th round. Cisokho for his part retained his WBA intercontinental super welterweight belt. His Russian, Sergey Lubkovich, threw in the towel before the 5th round: “I had met the president in a restaurant by chance a few days ago and he had promised to come, confides the Parisian. He kept his word and it is an honor. I didn't have to box, I hardly had the right. But I wanted it because I missed my audience. I'm very happy, I felt good and wanted to step into the ring. I work a lot.I know there is level in the category, there are people. But that's it I feel ready. I hope that my next fight I will take a world top 10. " It seems to be on the right track.