Louis Acariès: Tony Yoka has "every chance" to become world champion

INTERVIEW

Louis Acariès, former boxing champion and also promoter, was the guest of "Face aux auditeurs" of Europe 1. He was notably asked about the career and progress of Tony Yoka, professional past in 2017. "He learns his sound. job ", he first commented, before estimating that he has" every chance "to one day realize his dream of becoming world heavyweight champion. 

Eight victories in as many fights

The boxer has so far played eight fights, all won including seven by KO.

He also won in his last fight, on September 25 against Johann Duhaupas, in the first round.

The fight then only lasted a minute 30. "He is an Olympic champion so the qualities, he has them. It is now up to him to surround himself with good people so that he can make his career properly. "He has every chance of succeeding. Is it still necessary that they bring them to light and not spoil them," continued Louis Acariès.

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"He must learn his trade"

But Tony Yoka's professional career has already seen some twists and turns.

In July 2018, the Olympic champion was sanctioned with a one-year suspension for anti-doping rule violations.

"It's nothing at all, it's stupid. Who doesn't do stupid things? […] The main thing is to repair and to succeed. I think he has all the qualities to do it. So criticism is easy, but he must learn his trade and his art now, "continued Louis Acariès.

"He takes more hits with the light than with the boxers he meets!"

According to him, it is his media exposure that penalizes him.

Louis Acariès points to the responsibility of the Canal + broadcaster who, according to him, put the boxer forward too early.

"I don't want to blame them, but it's incompetence," he said, before drawing a parallel with Brahim Asloum, whom he coached and who was WBA world champion in December 2007. "This is the trap into which Brahim Asloum fell. Me, I did not want to do as he wanted. That's why I delayed his first world championship (in 2005,

), because I knew he was going to have difficulties. The second the same. He happened to be world champion afterwards. That's what he should do. You don't become world champion in three punches in professional ", he developed.

"He takes more hits with light than with the boxers he meets! But it can be arranged," he finally quipped.