The poster is enticing and the setting prestigious. On January 15 at the Accor Arena in Bercy, Tony Yoka will play his 12th professional fight against Carlos Takam. Finally, a major test for the 2016 Olympic champion in his quest for a world crown. Takam, 40, is indeed a benchmark among heavyweights. Ranked 23rd in the world (Yoka is 20th), the Franco-Cameroonian pugilist has a record of 29 wins, 6 losses and one draw. At the end of 2017, he held the shock for ten rounds against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff after agreeing to face the WBA-WBO-IBF champion at a moment's notice. Last July at Wembley Arena, he lost to Joe Joyce, another Briton, on referee stoppage in the 6th round after dominating the first rounds. That same Joyce,beaten by Yoka at the Olympics in Brazil and undefeated among the pros (13 wins), who could be Tyson Fury's next opponent. In short, Takam is a boxer of a different caliber than those encountered so far by Yoka.
“
Carlos is the top level in the world.
Boxer Takam in Bercy, it's exciting, it's a big step for me!
, explains Tony Yoka to L'Equipe.
I tell myself that, if all goes well, then I can legitimately face guys from the top 10. Carlos is a world reference.
He had a very good fight against Anthony Joshua.
And then, again recently, at the end of July, against Joe Joyce.
Carlos is a boxer still in great shape, a fighter with a global aura
”.
Despite his eleven springs more than Yoka (29), Takam remains formidable and “
very complicated to box
” with his good defense.
In my head I'm ready to box anyone
Tony yoka
“
Carlos gave a boost to his career. When we look at his fight against Joe Joyce, I do not see how Takam was at the end
”, continues the Parisian who had trained with the native of Douala ten years ago and with whom he is hear well. “
I have no problem being friends with a guy and then facing him in the ring. This is what it is to be pro. Even though I know Carlos will put all the odds in his favor to knock me out. That's the job
”, explains Yoka, aware that a victory against Takam“
will have an impact at the international level
(…)
I think I've come to a point where, at 29, in my head, I'm ready to box anyone.
Afterwards, in fact, it's very complicated.
We approached a bunch of guys to confront them.
We had a lot of refusals, in their eyes, we are not yet high enough in the ranking.
Maybe because I haven't fought famous opponents yet
. "
After January 15, the situation could change.