For the last time before… a while ago, a sport event hosted 5,000 people in Ile-de-France this Friday. This is not much on the scale of the Paris Defense Arena in Nanterre capable of receiving six times more. But it’s huge given the context: within a few hours, the gauge would, in fact, have dropped to 1000 spectators. 5,000 people is especially a lot for a boxing night. She hailed Tony Yoka’s return to the ring after a year of absence. A return made under the eyes of Presnel Kimpembe, Maître Gims and a few personalities still attracted by the aura of the Olympic heavyweight gold medalist in Rio.
Tony Yoka was predicting “the toughest fight” of his still fledgling pro career. Johann Duhaupas promised to settle accounts with his young rival by “slapping himself on the face”. Both men were wrong: the fight ended before it even started. Duhaupas didn’t have time to strike a blow or say phew. From the first round, the Abbevillois went ashore, quickly, too quickly, far too quickly.
“I wanted to start very strong”
Counted for the first time, the “Reptile” dropped to one knee in stride. One too many: the referee ended up stopping the fight. A quick decision, maybe too quick, that doesn’t suit anyone. Nor that of the vanquished who risks ending his career in tears on a terrible failure that his record undoubtedly does not deserve. It does not suit either the winner who needs fights to harden, progress and gain legitimacy. Once again, he will have to deal with the critics who claim he wins his fights too easily.
If he wins after all, it is probably also because he is an excellent boxer who, with this expeditious assault, will make a leap in the world heavyweight ranking. He will soon be able to challenge the best in the world. Perhaps staying a little longer in the ring: “I wanted to start very strong, analyze, hot, Yoka. I remain a little on my hunger. I wanted to go a little further. It’s still a real milestone. I was keen to win with the manner ”.
Previously, Estelle Mossely-Yoka had also made a success of her comeback, beating Aurélie Froment on points.
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