"I really think it's going to be my toughest fight, at least in terms of opponent, since the start," said the 2016 Olympic champion on Tuesday on the sidelines of training in Paris.
"But I think it's also going to be the one where I feel the best," added Yoka, undefeated in eleven outings (9 wins before the limit).
The 30-year-old Frenchman was originally due to face Bakole on January 15 at Bercy but the meeting had been postponed due to the return of the gauges linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
After this setback, the Frenchman agreed to challenge Croatian Filip Hrgovic in an IBF world semi-final, but the body finally considered that Yoka remained committed to a fight against Bakole.
Bakole will still be a very good test for the Parisian, who has not fought since September 10 (a victory against the Croatian Peter Milas by KO in the 7th round) and aims to one day become world champion in the category- queen.
"Bakole is in the top 15 in the world. We said we were aiming for the top 10, we are getting closer," Yoka said.
"He's strong, he's tall, he's slender, he weighs more than 120 kg, he's very powerful. He's an opponent who's going to give me a hard time and we'll have to watch out for him until the end. combat," he said.
Faced with the 28-year-old Congolese, Yoka says he is "faster" and "more technical".
"I think my explosiveness will make the difference when I start chaining combinations, chaining punches," he added.
Tony Yoka in training in Paris on May 10, 2022 for his fight against Martin Bakole Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP
Bakole is ranked 14th in the world by benchmark site boxrec (Yoka is 16th) and has only lost once in 18 ring appearances (13 KOs).
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