Boxing: Tony Yoka Opposes German Dimitrenko For His Return

Paris (AFP)

Tony Yoka, who will return to the rings on July 13 in Antibes after a one-year suspension for three "no show" at unannounced anti-doping tests, will be opposed to the German Alexander Dimitrenko, announced Saturday the broadcaster of the fight Canal +.

The 2016 Olympic champion, who is 27 years old and will be playing his sixth heavyweight professional fight, will face an experienced 36-year-old former European belt-holder (41 wins in 46 bouts including 26 before the limit). , 5 defeats). Dimitrenko held 5 rounds on April 20 against American Andy Ruiz Jr, who then created a huge sensation by dispossess Brit Anthony Joshua of his IBF-WBA-WBO belts.

The last appearance of Tony Yoka on the rings dates back to June 23, 2018, during a success against the Englishman David Allen, his fifth in as many fights. Yoka was subsequently sentenced to a one-year suspension from the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) on 5 July 2018 for missing three times, in less than a year, his localization obligations for checks. unannounced between July 2016 and July 2017. His appeal before the Council of State was rejected in January.

This sanction stopped Yoka in his "Conquest", a very scripted step forward that must lead him to the world title among professionals, and for which he had signed in 2017 with Canal +, partner and broadcaster, an exclusive contract .

In announcing his return on June 7, Yoka also said he would have three fights on his program this year "to get to the top of the rankings".

Super welterweight Souleymane Cissokho, who on June 2 won against Mexico's Vladimir Hernandez his first professional fight in the United States in the legendary hall of Madison Square Garden in New York, will also be on the agenda of the meeting in Antibes. he will face the Argentine José Carlos Paz. This will be the 10th fight among the pros of the Rio 2016 Rio Bronze Medalist.

? 2019 AFP