Tony Yoka offered his first belt in Nantes on Friday in the pros, beating Belgian Joel Tambwe Djeko by KO.
The French heavyweight thus won the vacant European Union title.
After this first pro belt, Tony Yoka would like to face the Englishman Joe Joyce, whom he had beaten in the final at the Rio Olympics, in 2016.
French heavyweight Tony Yoka offered his first professional belt in Nantes on Friday by knocking out Belgian Joel Tambwe Djeko to win the vacant European Union title.
Even if it is a minor belt, the 2016 Olympic champion gives with this title a new dimension to his career.
Tony Yoka, undefeated in ten outings for the pros now, won by KO in the twelfth and final round after a series of straights and a last uppercut which knocked out the Belgian with 1 min 30 from the end.
>> READ ALSO
- Louis Acariès: Tony Yoka has "every chance" to become world champion
One last fatal uppercut
The French Olympic champion dominated this fight from start to finish against a "Big Joe" who cashed well but did not touch him often enough.
In the attack of the 10th round, Yoka had touched Djeko three times more often than the reverse, in particular on precise and effective lines.
The Belgian from Molenbeek finished the fight on the ropes, with a very swollen right eye, and let go after a last uppercut, victim of a knockout carefully prepared throughout the fight.
Tony Yoka, very mobile and very active from start to finish, then stuck out his tongue.
He did not seem really marked by these 12 perfectly well managed recoveries, as he has often done since the start of his career with the pros.
After this first pro belt, Yoka would very much like to face the Englishman Joe Joyce, whom he had beaten in the final in Rio, in 2016, for a muscular reunion.