Beware the heavyweight threat rising in France. Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka reminded the boxing world of his rich potential with a one-round blowout of former WBC title challenger Johann Duhaupas at the La Defense Arena in Nanterre, France, on Friday night.
Yoka (8-0, 7 KOs) may have drifted off the radar of some fight fans following his year suspension for a doping violation after he missed three drugs tests in 2018, but like fellow Rio medallists Joe Joyce (11-0, 10 KOs) and Filip Hrgovic (10-0, 8 KOs) he should have a significant role in the heavyweight title picture in the years to come.
The 6ft 7ins Parisian toyed with countryman Duhaupas (38-6, 25 KOs) and dispatched him in just 121 seconds.
JB Autissier via www.imago-images.de/Imago/PA Images
An overhand right downed Duhaupas midway through the opening stanza. He rose at eight before Yoka tore in to finish the job with a bombardment of right hands that had Duhaupas dipping in a corner. A right uppercut then dropped Duhaupas along the ropes where the bout was waved off.
Yoka signed with US promotional powerhouse Top Rank earlier this year and is on the brink of title contention.
Photo: JB Autissier via www.imago-images.de/Imago/PA Images.
Main image and all photos: JB Autissier via www.imago-images.de/Imago/Press Association.