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Boxing: "A fight in Côte d'Ivoire would be great," says Ryad Merhy, Tony Yoka's opponent
French heavyweight Tony Yoka makes his return to the ring this Saturday, December 9 at the prestigious Roland-Garros venue in Paris, a legendary venue in tennis. Against the 31-year-old colossus, an opponent with a much more extensive track record in the lower category. Belgian boxer Ryad Merhy, 31, has seized a golden opportunity to compete at heavyweight, even if his goal is not to stay there for long. The native of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire gives RFI his feelings before this great fight, on his opponent and on African boxing.
Belgian-Ivorian boxer Ryad Merhy during his private training open to the press. © Sophiane Amazian/RFI
By: Sophiane Amazian
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RFI: Ryad Mehry, a few hours before this fight against the French heavyweight Tony Yoka, what state of mind are you in?
Ryad Mehry: I lost my last fight. I was too much in my thoughts and it blocked me. This time, I'm much more relaxed. I'm taking this fight very calmly, especially since I'm not in the weight class I'm aiming for. I'm a "little" heavyweight, I come here for the sporting challenge: to face Tony Yoka. I have nothing to lose in the story. I'm just coming here to make a bonus in my career. It's a great showcase, we're boxing at Roland-Garros, it's an event that's going to make a lot of noise. I'm serene, he has much more to lose in the story than I do.
Tony Yoka is on the back of two consecutive defeats, against the Congolese Martin Bakole and then against the Cameroonian Carlos Takam. Is it more dangerous than ever?
It's hard to say. They can be a very dangerous opponent now, because after two defeats, you always come back with your fangs, you have more to prove. In any case, he did what was necessary around him to perform better. He grew closer to his family. In my opinion, he will have a new way of looking at the fight, but he will still have more pressure than me. I think he'll put in a good performance. He's still a human being, he's got two fists, what's going to be played out inside the ring is how we deal with our demons.
You are better known in the lower category, that of light heavyweight, you have won a title, why did you choose to move up to heavyweight?
It's a decision that was made right after my first fight outside of the Covid period. During this time, I gained weight. I was in my thirties and had reached my physical maturity. I had become more bald and I no longer wanted to go on diets of 12 kilos to go below the limit. In addition, I had several fights postponed, I started preparations to stop them prematurely. I didn't want to do that anymore, because I'm a dad, I have three kids. Going on drastic diets with a family is no longer what I wanted. I took the easy way out, plus the WBC (Editor's note: World Boxing Council, an international federation) had just created a new weight category, Bridgerweight (from 90 to 101 kilos), it's a great opportunity for me at 101 kilos to shine. I don't see myself having a career in heavyweight, I have to be realistic, I'm 1.81 m, my ideal weight is 104-105 kilos. The new generation of heavy goods vehicles is 2.10 m tall and weighs a minimum of 115 kilos. I'm not cut out to box guys like that. I'm aiming for a career in Bridgerweight and then I'll hang up the gloves.
What is the goal in Bridgerweight, to win the belt of the category?
A world championship belt and then I hang up. I'm still young, but I'm over 30 years old, I have a family so the desire is no longer the same. Family life comes before boxing. I am in good financial shape, my family situation is stable. For some time now, I've been feeling more like a dad than a boxer, and you can feel it in the way I box. There are decisions to be made before you get one too many.
Some say that Tony Yoka is the favorite for this fight, what do you say?
They are absolutely right. I'll see a boxer like me on paper against Yoka, I'll say "Who is this boxer?" But do these people really know me? I want to be the boxer who will create the surprise. There is a reason why this fight has happened. It's time to shine in France before returning to the quest for the Bridgerweight title, because I'm ranked number one. Between boxers, we respect each other and that's the main thing. We all know the business, we've all been in the ring, the others can't know. I know his abilities, he knows mine. It's going to be a great fight.
Do you realize that if you beat Tony Yoka, his career would come to a standstill. Doesn't that put more pressure on you?
He's still young, we're from the same generation. At 31 years old, he is a young heavyweight so even if he loses, he has years to get back on track and continue his rise. Anyway, the category is blocked so the only interest for him at the moment is the ranking and not the quest for a belt, he can forget about that for now. Yoka would really have to beat a big name to reach this magic square of champions who only compete against each other. I'm not a name so it's not going to change anything for him, but you'll have to pass me over it already. If he can do it, maybe he'll have a world chance one day.
You were born in Côte d'Ivoire and moved to Belgium at a very young age. Do you have any childhood memories?
I left when I was two years old. I have no memory of Côte d'Ivoire, I have little flashes. I haven't been back since. There is no opportunity that has presented itself, the context has not been simple in recent years. I could have gone back a year ago, but the vagaries of life meant that I couldn't leave at that time. But it's one of my projects, to go to Côte d'Ivoire.
How do you judge the level of African heavyweight boxing, are the fighters highlighted as much as the others?
Beyond boxing, there are a lot of African fighters who have a lot of talent. But there is a lack of structure and means to be able to elevate them to the rank they deserve. I don't know enough about the daily life of African boxers, but I think the lack of light comes from the lack of communication. That's how the world works, communication makes people live. With more communication, we could deport these African talents to Europe, for example. The African continent could even become a place of high potential for athletes.
Are Congo's Martin Bakole and Cameroon's Carlos Takam, two of Africa's heavyweight stars, role models for you?
Since I fought for more than ten years at light heavyweight, I don't take them as a role model. I was able to see a Carlos Takam fight at a boxing meeting. I was told about his background, I have a lot of respect for what he did. He didn't give up, he fought the greats and he was never ridiculous. Martin Bakole, I don't know him any more than that. He is a fighter who wants to get out of it and show that Africa has its place in world boxing.
You've fought in South Africa before, but would you like to one day box in Ivory Coast or a neighbouring country?
Of course, it would be an opportunity to reconnect with my country, it would be the most beautiful way. We already have a lot of talks with my manager to fight in Ivory Coast. As is often the case, there is a lot of talk, but it doesn't happen and I've had other opportunities in Europe. But why not have one last fight in Ivory Coast, that would be great. I think there will be big battles in Africa again. If you look closely, there are a lot of boxers who are driven by this desire to highlight the continent. The bigger organizations will want to put on big fights there, and then there are big ambassadors of African boxing.
Another novelty in boxing is the arrival of Saudi Arabia in the landscape. Martin Bakole and Carlos Takam faced each other in Riyadh last October, isn't it disturbing for African athletes to have to compete in Saudi Arabia rather than Africa?
They follow the money. We're all like that, especially when we're at the end of our careers. Take what there is to take to prepare for their retirement. The life of a professional boxer is very short, you take hits. By taking that money, maybe they will develop African things. It's more like an investment in my opinion.
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