Tony Yoka vs. Joel Djeko - March 5, 2021

[joe strong]

I was really looking forward to Yoka/Milas. THis is a big letdown. I know nothing about his opponent. I expect an easy Yoka win by early KO.

[candyslim]

I think it would have been a way better fight but I'd expect Yoka to have handed Milas his first loss. Yoka is further along in terms of development as you'd expect from an Olympic Champion *. When I've watched Milas I've liked his boxing but he appeared to me to lack firepower, not seeming to hit hard enough to be a great threat to Yoka who has questions to answer about his chin/ toughness. On the other hand his record suggests he hits harder than i give him credit for.

* I was going to qualify that because Yoka was lucky to emerge with the gold medal, but then you could make the same comment about Joshua, or at least some would.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoka-Djeko Set For March 5

The fight for the vacant European Union heavyweight title between rising French star Tony Yoka (9-0) and Belgian Joel Tambwe Djeko (17-2-1) is now on for March 5 in Nantes (France). The purse bids that were set for tomorrow (Jan 20) are thus off.

In the co-feature Estelle Yoka-Mossely (8-0) defends the IBO female lightweight title against Argentina's Edith Soledad Matthysse (16-11-1).

[Ruthless-RKO]

This fight still on?

[JxhDel.]

Absurd having to face a cruiserweight like Djeko right now for the EBU UE title, for Yoka at this point.

[candyslim]

Exactly. Do the EBU think that the prestige that once attached to their titles has not been sufficiently eradicated yet?

[margaret thatcher]

their eu belt has never been presitigous

[Ruthless-RKO]

their eu belt has never been presitigous

It's hasn't.

It's been around for over 10 years..

It's only been in the boxing news in the last few years, depending on who/s held the title.

He's the history..

https://boxrec.com/en/titles?t%5Bbout_t ... ight&t_go=

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Fight will be on ESPN+

Heavyweight Tony Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Paris, will battle Belgium-born Joel Tambwe Djeko in a twelve-rounder on Friday at H Arena in Nantes, France. In the ten-round lightweight co-feature, Estelle Yoka Mossely (8-0, 1 KO), the other half of boxing’s most prominent husband-and-wife duo, will fight German contender Verena Kaiser (14-1, 6 KOs). The card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ beginning at 2:40 p.m. ET/11:40 a.m. PT.

“I am excited to once again showcase my talents live in the United States on ESPN+,” Yoka said. “Djeko is a formidable opponent who I cannot overlook as I continue to move up the rankings.”

Yoka (9-0, 7 KOs) became became the first French boxer to win an Olympic super heavyweight gold medal. Following a six-round decision victory over Jonathan Rice in his second pro bout, he notched six consecutive stoppage wins, including a first-round blitzing of Johann Duhaupas last September. Yoka returned last November on an ESPN+-streamed bill and scored a shutout 10-round decision over Christian Hammer.

Djeko (17-2-1, 8 KOs) has never been stopped in a 20-fight career and has won eight consecutive bouts since a split decision defeat in 2016.

In other streaming action, French middleweight Farrhad Saad (7-0-1), winner of six straight, will take on Bulgarian veteran Borislav Ivanov (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder... and

In a six-round junior lightweight bout, Khalil el Hadri (10-0, 6 KOs) will fight Jon Martinez (7-6-5, 1 KO).

[candyslim]

their eu belt has never been presitigous

I still can't get my head around this two or more European title situation. I'm old school and I'm talking about the one original EBU title and trust me when I say it used to be very well respected back in the day as did the British and Commonwealth titles.

I'm sure I shall continue to make the same mistake and you'll continue to correct me. Old dogs and new tricks, eh?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoka vs Djeko fight card

• Tony Yoka vs. Joel Tambwe Djeko, 12 rounds, heavyweight

• Estelle Yoka Mossely vs. Verena Kaiser, 10 rounds, lightweight

• Farrhad Saad vs. Borislav Ivanov, 8 rounds, middleweight

• Khalil el Hadri vs. Jon Martinez, 6 rounds, junior lightweight

[Enlightened-One]

their eu belt has never been presitigous

It's hasn't.

It's been around for over 10 years..

It's only been in the boxing news in the last few years, depending on who/s held the title.

He's the history..

https://boxrec.com/en/titles?t%5Bbout_t ... ight&t_go=

I've always wondered why the EBU has three belts, but no one criticises them for it?

I don’t know why the EBU needs to have three titleholders: EBU = Joe Joyce; EU = Winner of Yoka-Djeko; and EE = Umut Camkiran.

[Ruthless-RKO]

their eu belt has never been presitigous

It's hasn't.

It's been around for over 10 years..

It's only been in the boxing news in the last few years, depending on who/s held the title.

He's the history..

https://boxrec.com/en/titles?t%5Bbout_t ... ight&t_go=

I've always wondered why the EBU has three belts, but no one criticises them for it?

I don’t know why the EBU needs to have three titleholders: EBU = Joe Joyce; EU = Winner of Yoka-Djeko; and EE = Umut Camkiran.

WTF even is an EBU External belt?

Not like it's mainstream.

[joshj909]

It's hasn't.

It's been around for over 10 years..

It's only been in the boxing news in the last few years, depending on who/s held the title.

He's the history..

https://boxrec.com/en/titles?t%5Bbout_t ... ight&t_go=

I've always wondered why the EBU has three belts, but no one criticises them for it?

I don’t know why the EBU needs to have three titleholders: EBU = Joe Joyce; EU = Winner of Yoka-Djeko; and EE = Umut Camkiran.

WTF even is an EBU External belt?

Not like it's mainstream.

Isn't it for non-EU European boxers? No doubt domestic British boxers will be all over that when word gets round that it actually exists.

I also still find it weird that the EBU have a belt specifically for a political and economic union. Where are the USMCA or ASEAN belts?

[jameswilson]

I've always wondered why the EBU has three belts, but no one criticises them for it?

I don’t know why the EBU needs to have three titleholders: EBU = Joe Joyce; EU = Winner of Yoka-Djeko; and EE = Umut Camkiran.

WTF even is an EBU External belt?

Not like it's mainstream.

Isn't it for non-EU European boxers? No doubt domestic British boxers will be all over that when word gets round that it actually exists.

I also still find it weird that the EBU have a belt specifically for a political and economic union. Where are the USMCA or ASEAN belts?

We rarely fought for the European Union belt when we were in, mainly because the British title carries such clout with the EBU itself. It's unusual for British boxers not to be so high up the European rankings that they'd need a belt that helps their ranking within that body.

On top of that it's debatable as to which belt is easier to win out of the European Union and external European Union, the EU has Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Belgium all who have a reasonable history of winning the full European title but I mean if you take the best Russians, Ukrainians, former Soviet countries that's hardly full of bums at each weight division is it?

[Enlightened-One]

WTF even is an EBU External belt?

Not like it's mainstream.

Isn't it for non-EU European boxers? No doubt domestic British boxers will be all over that when word gets round that it actually exists.

I also still find it weird that the EBU have a belt specifically for a political and economic union. Where are the USMCA or ASEAN belts?

We rarely fought for the European Union belt when we were in, mainly because the British title carries such clout with the EBU itself. It's unusual for British boxers not to be so high up the European rankings that they'd need a belt that helps their ranking within that body.

On top of that it's debatable as to which belt is easier to win out of the European Union and external European Union, the EU has Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Belgium all who have a reasonable history of winning the full European title but I mean if you take the best Russians, Ukrainians, former Soviet countries that's hardly full of bums at each weight division is it?

The EBU’s EU and EE titles are meaningless trinkets that no one in the sport takes seriously, regardless to whichever part of Europe they reside.

The lack of prestige associated to those belts has nothing whatsoever to do with political affiliations, the European rankings or the BBBofC’s national title.

You only have to review their lineage, the calibre of the champions and how often fighters try to win these belts to appreciate this.

The EBU’s main heavyweight title, currently held by Joe Joyce, has been held by a lot of big-name British and Europeans fighters.

The other EBU versions are complete utter nonsense! The EU and EE straps should not exist! There's no need for the EBU to have three titles.

From a heavyweight perspective, the only EBU title that carries any prestige is the one currently held by Joe Joyce. We should ignore the other versions.

[jameswilson]

has any Brit got or even won an EU title? If so do they have to give it up.?

Michael Sprott and Lenny Daws are two that spring to mind. Sprott definitely won it, Daws may have just fought for it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

has any Brit got or even won an EU title? If so do they have to give it up.?

Michael Sprott and Lenny Daws are two that spring to mind. Sprott definitely won it, Daws may have just fought for it.

Sprott was either the first or one of the first.

[handsofstone]

I thought Yoka was starting to come on after Duhapaus 1 round blow out but he was unimpressive against Hammer, won wide but looked crude, Djeko's a fun fighter, i remember the ding dong with Kennedy years ago, hopefully he shows more desire to win than Hammer did, Yoka should win here

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: Friday, March 5, 2021
Start Time: 2:50 pm ET
Location: H Arena - Nantes, France
Streaming: ESPN+
TV: Canal+ (FRA)

Main Card (ESPN+, 2:50 pm ET)

12 Round Heavyweight Bout
Tony Yoka (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. Joel Djeko (17-2-1, 8 KOs)

10 Round Lightweight Bout
Estelle Yoka Mossely (8-0, 1 KO) vs. Verena Kaiser (14-1, 6 KOs)

6 Round Middleweight Bout
Farrhad Saad (7-0-1, 0 KOs) vs. Borislav Ivanov (9-1, 5 KOs)

6 Round Junior Welterweight Bout
Warren Esabe (2-0, 0 KOs) vs. Mohamed Suleiman Kartoum (2-0, 0 KOs)

6 Round Junior Lightweight Bout
Khalil El Hadri (10-0, 6 KOs) vs. Jon Martinez (7-6-5, 1 KO)

[Las Vegas boxing guy]

Wow, so Yoka’s wife is fighting in the co main event? Interesting.

Djeko has never been stopped as a pro. So there is that challenge/goal for Tony in this match up.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Wow, so Yoka’s wife is fighting in the co main event? Interesting.

Tony Yoka and Estelle Yoka-Mossely are boxing's power couple chasing Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor

The husband and wife duo are hand-in-hand chasing the world championships held by Katie Taylor and Anthony Joshua and are also developing a powerful voice outside of the ring

Four years on from Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor's Olympic gold heroics, their places were taken by a loved-up couple who fight side-by-side and are now in pursuit of their predecessors.

Tony Yoka and Estelle Yoka-Mossely won gold at Rio 2016 in the same divisions that Joshua and Taylor once dominated - and they have evolved into emerging threats for the world titles that Joshua and Taylor now hold.

It is a traditional love story. Yoka and Yoka-Mossely were a feelgood moment at the last Olympics but have since encountered hurdles which they have overcome. For all her husband's KO power, Yoka-Mossely may have even more power with her voice outside of the ring.

On Friday night in Nantes, the French husband and wife duo will each step back into the ring looking to edge their unbeaten careers closer to the pinnacle that Joshua and Taylor sit on.

Yoka-Mossely fights Verena Kaiser for a minor title in the lightweight division that Taylor rules as undisputed champion. Yoka, in the main event of the same card, continues his heavyweight rise in an EBU European title fight against Joel Tambwe Djeko.

They have diligently prepared together, a united front in a sport that can be cruelly individual.

Yoka and Yoka-Mossely have spent six weeks training in California without their two children, Ali (named after you-know-who) and Magomed.



Yoka-Mossely's insight to 20 Minutes in France is a rarely-considered part of a female boxer's sacrifices: "This is the first time that I left the children.

"I found it beneficial to isolate myself as a sportswoman, but it's not easy, and it's easy for anyone not to see their children for that long anyway. Afterwards, these are not unnecessary sacrifices. I trained without asking myself any questions, telling myself that the faster the time passed, the faster I would come back to see them.

"[We are a] family that is organised around high-level sport, but I remain a mother like any other, attentive to the educational needs, to the demands of my children."

At just 28, Yoka-Mossely is a young mother who has already achieved so much inside the ring, peaking with becoming France's first Olympic gold medal-winning boxer. That moment was heart-warmingly achieved with her then-fiance roaring her on from the sidelines.

She has become a powerful voice for equality and runs an association for high-level sportswomen which provides maternity support with their pregnancies, deals with subjects that are difficult to speak to men about, and offers retraining to help females enter sporting governing bodies.

Asked by 20 Minutes about the sexual abuse scandal in French figure skating, Yoka-Mossely said: "Honestly, women don't speak because they don't want to lose their place. They have often made so many sacrifices to get there. Denouncing these things becomes something secondary for them."

[Rockytony67]

https://www.premiersports.com/sports/bo ... g-fixtures

Now got this advertised in the Uk on Premier sports and I would imagine allegedly.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What times main event?

[oogiebe]

What times main event?

Girl fight just ended.