(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Tony Yoka Eyes Anthony Joshua Clash: “I’m Ready, It Makes Sense”
French heavyweight boxer Tony Yoka believes he is back on track and ready to take on the sport’s elite — and he has set his sights on a high-profile showdown with former world champion Anthony Joshua.
Back on the Rise After Setbacks
Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, faced a tough stretch between 2022 and 2023, suffering three consecutive decision losses to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Ryad Merhy. The defeats caused his once-promising career to stall, and he stepped out of the limelight to refocus and rebuild.
Under the guidance of trainer Don Charles, Yoka began the road to recovery, first with a couple of low-profile wins, and then with an impressive decision victory over undefeated Russian contender Arslan Yallyev (16-0) in May.
Queensberry Signing Sparks New Ambition
With renewed confidence and momentum, Yoka recently signed with Queensberry Promotions — one of the leading promotional outfits in the heavyweight boxing landscape. The move opens the door to more significant fights and a quicker route back into world title contention.
Among the potential opponents being mentioned is none other than Anthony Joshua, the two-time unified world heavyweight champion and fellow Olympic gold medalist.
A Joshua Fight? Yoka Says He’s Ready
Yoka addressed the growing speculation about a potential clash with Joshua in an interview with BoxNation:
“I’ve heard some rumours about it. I believe in my team — Queensberry, my manager, and my coach — to get me the best fights.
If I’m offered a fight with Joshua, of course, I’d take it. It would be a great opportunity and a big fight for me.”
While Yoka admits that no formal discussions have taken place, he is staying prepared and open to any possibility.
Joshua’s Future Plans Remain Unclear
Anthony Joshua, who captured Olympic gold at the London 2012 Games, remains one of the sport’s biggest stars despite a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last year. He has been linked to several potential fights, including a possible crossover bout with Jake Paul and a long-awaited clash with retired former champion Tyson Fury.
Yoka believes a fight between the two Olympic champions would make sense and offer intrigue for fans:
“There’s a history between us as two gold medalists. I saw him fight some opponents recently who weren’t very well known.
If he wants a fight before a big event like Joshua-Fury, I’m here. He doesn’t have to look far.”
Looking Ahead
With a solid win behind him and new promotional backing, Tony Yoka is eager to make a strong statement in the heavyweight division. Whether or not a fight with Anthony Joshua materializes, the Frenchman’s message is clear:
“I’m here, I’m ready — and it would make sense.”
