Olympic Gold medalist and rising heavyweight prospect Tony Yoka made his post-lockdown return to boxing tonight after a year out of the ring - stopping compatriot, Johann Duhaupas in the first round.
Yoka, who last fought in Septemeber 2019 - stopping Michael Wallisch in the third round - showed no signs of ring rust as he went to work on the more experienced Duhaupas.
Yoka found his range with some big right hands right from the opening bell and had Duhaupas on the canvas within seconds.
The shellshocked Duhaupas got to his feet but seemed to have no defence for the heavy overhand rights coming from Yoka. He quickly found himself being clubbed around the ring before an uppercut sent him to the canvas, prompting the referee to wave it off - the right call despite being met with protest from Duhaupas and his corner.
The win is Yoka's third since returning from a year-long ban which, after a decent start to his pro career, saw him fall off the radar somewhat.
Bizarrely, while Yoka took home gold at the 2016 Olympic games - besting Filip Hrgović and Joe Joyce - it is they who have been attracting the spotlight within the pro ranks, while Yoka has quietly amassed an eight-fight winning record.
Duhaupas, while certainly not elite, is an impressive name for any up and coming fighter to have under his belt, and we'd expect that Yoka will now be looking to start making his presence felt in the division with some big fights next year.
Though far from ready to start challenging for world titles, there are some great match-ups out there for Yoka with the previously mentioned Filip Hrgović and Joe Joyce both presenting intriguing options. Both Hrgović and Joyce lost out narrowly (and some believe controversially) to Yoka in Rio, and we're sure that both would relish the chance to set the record straight.
Joyce recently matched Yoka in stopping Michael Wallisch within three rounds and is next expected to take on Domestic Rival, Daniel Dubois, although the fight has been delayed several times due the coronavirus pandemic. Hrgović makes his next appearance on Saturday night when he will be taking on Greece's Alexandre Kartozia.
Watch Yoka's Olympic final against Joe Joyce below -
Tony Yoka stops Johann Duhaupas in the first round
News25 Sep, 2020 by Deke Smith | Quick read
Tony Yoka by Cristiana Giustino / CC BY-SA
Have an opinion? Leave a comment...