Speedy winner of the German Patrick Korte, Sunday, in Nigeria, Tony Yoka assures him: “all his demons are behind him”.
The fight was short. Two minutes were indeed enough for Tony Yoka to send to the mat his opponent of the evening, the German Patrick Korte (41 years old, 23 wins, including 19 before the qualifier, 1 draw, now 6 d.). Suffering from a clear height deficit – 1m90 compared to 2m01 – the heavyweight from across the Rhine was forced to move forward and thus expose himself to the blows of the French Olympic champion.
After several skirmishes, a powerful right uppercut hit the mark and Patrick Korte collapsed on his back after staggering. Tony Yoka already had his victory, his fourth in a row, and was already looking further. “For months, I have been in the starting blocks, waiting to be given my chance, he confided to L’Equipe. This victory, the fourth in a row, delivers me. With this fight, which everyone saw on DAZN, my English promoter Frank Warren, who has the best heavyweights under contract, will give me my chance. »
To believe The TeamFrank Warren would have the idea of organizing a meeting in Paris next spring with Tony Yoka but also the other French boxer he has under contract, the super-welterweight Bakary Samaké. But Tony Yoka wants to continue.
“I also hope to box first, he indicated.
Maybe in February. I have been offered two fights, but I prefer to wait for it to be confirmed before talking about it. What I want is to keep fighting. And in Paris, I would like a reputable opponent. For example Joe Joyce. »
Tony Yoka is cured
This fight would have the air of revenge since the Englishman, now 40 years old, was the unfortunate opponent of Tony Yoka during the Olympic heavyweight final in Rio. A defeat that he never digested. “I am sad to see that there is corruption in sport and particularly in mine, boxing which I love. I always firmly believed that I was the winner of the fight against Tony Yoka and deserved the gold medal, he has already confided in the past. At the time, I accepted this decision. But since then I have read the McLaren report and I read that there was corruption within AIBA and that corruption affected the outcome of my match with Tony Yoka. »
At 33, Tony Yoka doesn’t want to waste any more time. “I’m going to spend the holidays with my family, take two or three days off, then return to training. When I tell you that I have changed…”he said, ensuring that he was done with the depression that ate away at him for many months:
“I have been working a lot for several months. Since my last fight in May, all my demons are behind me. »
