Heavyweight Tony Yoka will face veteran Carlos Takam on January 15 in Bercy, he told L'Equipe on Wednesday, a Franco-French shock that will be the biggest challenge in the professional career of the 2016 Olympic champion.
"Carlos is the top level in the world," said Yoka (29), undefeated in 11 fights.
“Boxer Takam in Bercy, it's exciting, it's a big step for me.
I tell myself that, if all goes well, then I can legitimately face guys from the top 10. Carlos is a world reference ”.
"In my head, I'm ready to box anyone"
Aged 40, Carlos Takam is a very experienced boxer (39 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw). The native of Douala, based in the United States, had notably resisted well in 2017 to the Englishman Anthony Joshua, at the time WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, and was only defeated in the 10th round when he had only ten days to prepare. He remains on a defeat against the Englishman Joe Joyce (by stop of the referee on the 6th round, on July 24), the unfortunate opponent of Yoka in the final of the Rio Olympics and one of the great hopes of the category Queen.
Yoka, who had retained the European Union heavyweight belt against the Croatian Petar Milas (referee stoppage in the 7th round), on September 10 at Roland Garros, hopes to continue to climb in the world rankings by challenging Takam.
He conceded four losses, including three before the limit, in his last ten fights since 2016.
“I think I've come to a point where, at 29, in my head, I'm ready to box anyone,” Yoka told L'Equipe.
“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.
Perhaps because I have not yet boxed renowned opponents (…) If, there, I beat Carlos Takam, it will have an impact at the international level ”.
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