Tony Yoka is set to make a comeback after a shocking upset loss to Martin Bakole, another Heavyweight contender within the division. Lauded as a future world champion because of his amateur background and short but notable pro record, particularly winning the 2016 Rio Olympics, Yoka’s loss to Bakole was a shock to the boxing world when it happened. In a video message on Twitter, Yoka announced his intention to fight Carlos Takam on March 11th.
Tony Yoka (11-1, 9 KO’s) had remained unbeaten for over ten fights before he lost to Martin Bakole (18-1 13 KO’s) by majority decision. Given Yoka’s amateur pedigree and the 90% KO-ratio he boasted before facing the Congolese boxer, he was expected to end up victorious against Bakole in his home city of Paris on May 14 in 2022. Fate had something different in store for the two of them, however.
Bakole came in strong and fit, endlessly unleashing nigh-unstoppable assaults on Yoka that he failed to properly deal with. Within just the first round, Bakole managed to force Yoka on his knees after a series of brutal combinations. Yoka failed to overcome the odds following that first knockdown, and continued to struggle against Bakole despite having spurts of his own where he landed cleanly and hard. The Frenchman even dropped to his knees again in the latter rounds, sealing the fight for Bakole in the scorecards who had managed to stay on the front foot throughout the entirety of the fight and barely slowed down since the start of the match.
The former Olympian now is set to test himself against fellow Frenchman, Carlos Takam (39-7-1, 28 KO’s), who boasts an extensive pro boxing record where he faced many world title contenders, champions, or former champions. He is likely an ideal opponent for Yoka to come back against, considering Takam is coming off two losses (one by stoppage, the other by decision) and is a veteran of 42-years old. However, Yoka’s inability to deal with pressure, and Takam’s experience and skill might still prove to be a stumbling block for the younger fighter.
Time will tell if Takam will be another banana slip, like Bakole had been, to Yoka. There is also more at stake for Yoka, given the popularity in his own country, his proven amateur pedigree and his ambitions to become a world champion. With 7 losses on his record, Takam will likely come well-equipped given his experience in fighting any would-be or incumbent champion, including the likes of Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KO’s) who he lost to by stoppage when challenging for his world titles.
