Former two-division world champion Lawrence Okolie will travel to France to face Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka at the Adidas Arena in Paris on April 25, live on DAZN.
Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) captured gold at the 2016 Olympic Games but endured a three-fight losing streak as a pro when he pushed toward a world title opportunity, suffering defeats to Martin Bakole and Carlos Takam between 2022 and 2023. He has since rebuilt momentum with four straight victories against lesser opposition, and signed with Queensberry Promotions during that stretch.
Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs) is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBC following world title success at cruiserweight and bridgerweight. The 33-year-old Englishman stopped Ebenezer Tetteh in the second round of his most recent outing in Lagos, Nigeria.
“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said Queensberry promoter Frank Warren in a press release. “As in Britain and Germany, the passion for boxing in France runs deep. There was immense pressure on Tony when he turned professional following his Olympic success, carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders.
“While he performed in sold-out arenas, perhaps the expectations came too soon. Now training in London, he returns as a revitalized, confident fighter, and his homecoming clash with Lawrence Okolie will be a cracker.”
The co-feature will see unbeaten French contender Bakary Samake face American-Albanian fighter Ermal Hadribeaj in a WBC final eliminator at super welterweight, where Sebastian Fundora holds the world title.
“Bakary, meanwhile, is looking to trade up his WBC Silver title in a final eliminator against a tough and experienced opponent in Ermal Hadribeaj,” Warren added.
Samake (19-0, 11 KOs) enters on a three-fight knockout streak with wins over Wade Ryan, Roarke Knapp, and Alejandro Ortiz. Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs) has fought internationally in his last three outings, competing in Germany, Croatia, and Albania.
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