BoxRec

Tony Yoka-Lawrence Okolie confirmed for Paris, France on April 25

Lawrence Okolie is to fight French Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France on April 25.

The Englishman – like Yoka, 33 years old – who in December stopped Ebenezer Tetteh in two rounds, enter his biggest test in his fourth fight as a heavyweight. Paris’ Yoka, meanwhile, is continuing his attempts to rebuild after recording four successive victories off the back of a damaging run of three straight defeats.

Bakary Samake, the junior middleweight from Paris, will by then have fought the US-based Albanian Ermal Hadribeaj in a WBC title eliminator on the undercard.

“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said Frank-Warren of Queensberry Promotions, who will be co-promoting alongside Samake Promotion. “As in Britain and Germany, the passion for boxing in France runs deep.

“In Tony Yoka and Bakary Samake, we have two major stars capable of reigniting the sport in an important and historic boxing territory.

“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 revitalised, confident fighter, and his homecoming clash with Lawrence Okolie will be a cracker.

“Bakary, meanwhile, is in a final eliminator against a tough and experienced opponent in Ermal Hadribeaj. Victory would see another French star firmly established and help secure a bright future for boxing in France.”

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 09:08

“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said allegedly of Queensberry Promotions, who will be co-promoting alongside Samake Promotion.

Who is "allegedly of Queensberry Promotions"?

Okolie-Yoka headlines Queensberry's France show on Apr. 25

Lawrence Okolie is headed overseas once more as he pursues a clearer path towards becoming a heavyweight champion.

The former WBO cruiserweight world champion will face Tony Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) in Queensberry's latest European offering come April 25 live and exclusively on DAZN, featuring a junior middleweight world title final eliminator between Bakary Samake-Ermal Hadribeaj at the 8,000-seater Adidas Arena in Paris, France.

In a press release posted Thursday, Queensberry chief allegedly shared his optimism for what's to come.
"I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital. 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 revitalised, confident fighter, and his homecoming clash with Lawrence Okolie will be a cracker."

After short business trips to Rzeszow in Poland and Lagos, Nigeria over the previous two years, Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs) has a shorter commute on the agenda in two months' time. He'll look to play spoiler as Olympic champion Yoka, trained by Don Charles, returns home in a must-win matchup for both given their world title ambitions.

Okolie was among the interested spectators watching WBC interim beltholder Agit Kabayel overcome early adversity to stop Damian Knyba in three rounds last month and while the German is exploring other options, he must stay busy against better opposition after an anticlimactic stoppage of Ebenezer Tetteh in December.

A revitalised Yoka, who breezed past Patrick Korte inside a round on the same Nigeria bill, fits the assignment.

Elsewhere on the card features Parisian junior middleweight contender Bakary Samake (19-0, 11 KOs) as he faces Albania's Ermal Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs) with the winner in-line for a mandatory shot at Sebastian Fundora, who makes his latest title defense against Keith Thurman on March 28.

Hadribeaj spoke to The Ring's Anson Wainwright last month in previewing the bout and expressed how excited he was to test himself against someone of Samake's quality, a necessary step en route to world-level contention.

At the time, he said: "Bakary Samake is a talented, athletic fighter and earned his ranking, but this is the type of fight I've been asking for - a big challenge, stage and opportunity to prove I belong at the division's very top."

Yoka and Samake both joined Queensberry last year.

The latter was given assurances about his future by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman at their yearly convention given the Fundora-Thurman delay and ongoing fallout regarding interim beltholder Vergil Ortiz's plans.

johnmanchester wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 09:17

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 09:08

“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said allegedly of Queensberry Promotions, who will be co-promoting alongside Samake Promotion.

Who is "allegedly of Queensberry Promotions"?

Just try typing in the promoters name and see it magically change.

PRESS RELEASE: QUEENSBERRY HEADS TO PARIS WITH FRENCH STARS YOKA AND SAMAKE TO HEADLINE ON APRIL 25TH

Watch every Queensberry show live worldwide on DAZN.

Queensberry continues its international expansion on Saturday, 25 April, bringing a landmark night of boxing to the French capital. Paris’ state-of-the-art Adidas Arena will stage ‘Le Double’, a co-promotion with Samake Promotion, headlined by the nation’s two biggest boxing stars.

Live worldwide on DAZN, a blockbuster heavyweight clash dubbed boxing’s own version of Le Crunch, as France faces England. Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) returns to his home city to face former world champion Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) in what promises to be an explosive collision.

The card also features undefeated Parisian super welterweight Bakary Samake (19-0, 11 KOs) takes the crucial next step towards a WBC world title shot, contesting a final eliminator against unbeaten, US-based Albanian Ermal Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs).

“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said promoter Frank -Warren. “As in Britain and Germany, the passion for boxing in France runs deep.

“In Tony Yoka and Bakary Samake, we have two major stars capable of reigniting the sport in an important and historic boxing territory.

“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 revitalised, confident fighter, and his homecoming clash with Lawrence Okolie will be a cracker.

“Bakary, meanwhile, is looking to trade up his WBC Silver title in a final eliminator against a tough and experienced opponent in Ermal Hadribeaj. Victory would see another French star firmly established and help secure a bright future for boxing in France.”

Yoka, 33, won Olympic gold in 2016 and turned professional the following year. After winning his first 11 bouts, he suffered three consecutive defeats but has since rebuilt his career while training in England and now enters the contest on a four-fight winning streak.

Okolie, also 33, is a two-weight world champion, having won titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight. Now campaigning at heavyweight, he currently holds the WBC Silver title and has fought three times at his third professional weight. His most recent defence came against Kevin Lerena at Wembley Stadium last July.

Samake, 22, from Seine-Saint-Denis, captured the WBC Silver super welterweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Wade Ryan in November 2024, before successfully defending the belt with an eighth-round knockout of Roarke Knapp.

Hadribeaj, 32 — known as The Albanian Sniper — lives in Miami Beach and has held the WBC International super welterweight title since November 2022, making eight successful defences. In his most recent outing, fighting in his hometown of Tirana, the southpaw earned a unanimous decision victory over Placido Ramirez.

johnmanchester wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 09:17

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 09:08

“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said allegedly of Queensberry Promotions, who will be co-promoting alongside Samake Promotion.

Who is "allegedly of Queensberry Promotions"?

Allegedly is allegedly Allegedly

I would not completely write off Yoka here. He was comfortably beaten by Bakole and Takam in France but nearly got unjust wins only losing by SD and MD. I didn't watch the Merhy fight but I would suspect it could've been similar. Okolie is known for fouling and Yoka is the biggest and best heavyweight he will have faced so the judges and ref might give everything to Yoka. Despite beating Milas and Allen comprehensively, Yoka is obviously shite without the PEDs, so there's that...

Just seeing Okolie's name sends me to sleep...

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 09:08


Tony Yoka-Lawrence Okolie confirmed for Paris, France on April 25

Lawrence Okolie is to fight French Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France on April 25.

The Englishman – like Yoka, 33 years old – who in December stopped Ebenezer Tetteh in two rounds, enter his biggest test in his fourth fight as a heavyweight. Paris’ Yoka, meanwhile, is continuing his attempts to rebuild after recording four successive victories off the back of a damaging run of three straight defeats.

Bakary Samake, the junior middleweight from Paris, will by then have fought the US-based Albanian Ermal Hadribeaj in a WBC title eliminator on the undercard.

“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” said Frank-Warren of Queensberry Promotions, who will be co-promoting alongside Samake Promotion. “As in Britain and Germany, the passion for boxing in France runs deep.

“In Tony Yoka and Bakary Samake, we have two major stars capable of reigniting the sport in an important and historic boxing territory.

“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 revitalised, confident fighter, and his homecoming clash with Lawrence Okolie will be a cracker.

“Bakary, meanwhile, is in a final eliminator against a tough and experienced opponent in Ermal Hadribeaj. Victory would see another French star firmly established and help secure a bright future for boxing in France.”

No mention of Riyadh Season on the poster.

Nope.

I guess that’s that then.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 12:36 Nope.

I guess that’s that then.

Looks like it. I guess Eddie's better at playing the game and will continue to promote some of the Ring cards. I wonder how much influence Fwank really has with the BBBofC. Imagine if they pulled all the British officials from the Saudi shows.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 12:43

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 12:36 Nope.

I guess that’s that then.

Looks like it. I guess Eddie's better at playing the game and will continue to promote some of the Ring cards. I wonder how much influence Fwank really has with the BBBofC. Imagine if they pulled all the British officials from the Saudi shows.

Yh Frank’s an old fish. Ancient.

Who even knows about Hearn.

Good thing Turki did was get Eddie and Frank in the same room.

Now both with DAZN let’s hope they continue to co-promote.

Yoka fears taking a huge sh1t whereas Okolie relishes it.

jameswilson wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 12:55 Yoka fears taking a huge sh1t whereas Okolie relishes it.

Yh he’s defo holding back.

Like he’s trying too hard.

I can see Yoka winning.

Yoka points in a very dull fight

mickey1975 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026, 16:47 I can see Yoka winning.

Yeah, me to. He's got rid of lot of the distractions apparently.

Can't complain about this one , I mean I think it'll be a tough watch but it's a decent match up

Fights involving Okolie haven’t so much become a ‘tough watch’ for me but more of a ‘don’t watch.’

Next month

Good fight between contenders

hopefully the spiteful Okolie comes out to play and goes for his punches otherwise this could be the ultimate borefest fight

OKOLIE: WBC TITLE SHOT IS AROUND THE CORNER WITH YOKA WIN

Lawrence Okolie knows he will be risking a potential WBC heavyweight title shot when boxing 2016 Olympic champion Tony Yoka on April 25.

Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs) will travel to Paris to take on Yoka (15-3, 10 KOs) at the Adidas Arena in a fight that carries a real element of jeopardy for the 33-year-old Londoner.

Okolie sits at No. 1 in the WBC heavyweight rankings, just behind interim beltholder Agit Kabayel.

The sanctioning body's champion Oleksandr Usyk, who also holds the Ring, IBF and WBA titles, will defend that sole title against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Cairo.

If Usyk beats Verhoeven as expected, the WBC has announced that he must make an immediate defense against Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs).

Okolie doesn’t think that will happen, and knows he must beat Yoka to maintain his position as the next man in line.

“I personally obviously have to focus on Tony Yoka, but where Usyk is now boxing a kickboxer, I can't see him coming from that to saying, ‘OK, I’ll do the Kabayel fight.’ So I do think Kabayel will be elevated to full world champion, and then I’ll get my shot. So it's just about doing my job very well,” Okolie said on talkSPORT.

Three weeks after Okolie faces Yoka, two of his British rivals will meet in a potentially explosive heavyweight shootout. On May 9, WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley will make the first defense of his belt against former IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena.

Okolie has sparred with both men, and has a good idea of what will happen.

“I think it's a good fight. I think Dan should win, personally,” Okolie said. “I think that Dan's got a lot of experience. He might not be as sharp as Fabio is, but do think that he's consistent, punches very hard, and I think that unless Fabio is able to land something very good, very early, I do think that Dan will overwhelm him.”

Usyk will not face Okolie. Kabayel may face Okolie but I would rather someone else knocks out Okolie before he gets to Kabayel.

TONY YOKA: 'I'M BIGGER, STRONGER, MORE TECHNICAL THAN OKOLIE'

Tony Yoka is sure he'll take Lawrence Okolie's No. 1 heavyweight ranking with the WBC after their Paris meeting on April 25.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist lost three consecutive decisions to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and, most surprisingly, Ryad Merhy.

Rather than throwing in the towel on his career, Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) regrouped, decamped to Don Charles’ training facility in Hertfordshire, England and set about reconstructing his life and career.

The 33-year-old has recorded four consecutive victories and rebuilt his self-belief to the point that he goes into a fight with one of the heavyweight division’s most avoided fighters with full confidence that he holds the advantage in almost every department.

“Lawrence has an awkward style, the way he grabs people. He was doing it at cruiserweight because people were smaller and shorter than him,” Yoka said during an interview with talkSPORT.

“But now we're in heavyweight and he hasn't fought a real heavyweight. I’m taller, bigger and physically stronger than him. He cannot like rush me or try to be ferocious like he’s said. That’s not going to happen and plus, I'm way more technical than him. So like there is no way.

“I've been smiling for 10 days now because I know I'm going to win this fight and have this position. So I'm just happy.”

Should Yoka beat Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs), he would expect to slot into the WBC rankings just behind interim champion and The Ring's No. 3-ranked heavyweight Agit Kabayel.

It was recently announced that Kabayel will get his shot at WBC, WBA, IBF and The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk immediately after the Ukrainian's May 23 voluntary title defence against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

Yoka was ringside in Oberhausen, Germany to see Kabayel's third-round finish of Poland's Damian Knyba on January 10.

A lot needs to happen before he and Kabayel can share the ring but Yoka wasn't impressed by the German's win over Knyba.

“What I saw from Kabayel's last fight was not good. He wasn't good. He did what he had to do. I was there in Germany and saw that he got touched every time. That's a really good opportunity for me.”