| |
|
Saturday: Tony Yoka-Martin Bakole Paris Fight Night Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
PhilBoxing.com Thu, 12 May 2022

(May 11, 2022) — Tony Yoka, the undefeated French heavyweight who captured Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games, takes a major step up in class this Saturday, May 14, in a 10-round main event against Congolese contender Martin Bakole at Accor Arena in Paris.
Yoka-Bakole headlines a loaded fight card that will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
Yoka (11-0, 9 KOs) is already ranked in the top 10 by two of the major sanctioning organizations. He’s spent the entirety of his pro career fighting in France and has scored a series of standout wins over the likes of Jonnie Rice, Alexander Dimitrenko, and former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas. In September 2021, he knocked out previously undefeated Croatian contender Petar Milas in seven rounds. Bakole (17-1, 13 KOs), who stands 6’6 and often weighs more than 250 pounds, has spent much of his eight-year pro career based in Scotland. He’s won six straight since an October 2018 TKO loss to American Olympian Michael Hunter, a run that’s included victories over recognizable names like Mariusz Wach, Kevin Johnson, and Sergey Kuzmin.
In undercard action on ESPN+:
• In an eight-round lightweight contest, two-time French Olympian and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Sofiane Oumiha (1-0, 1 KO) will battle fellow unbeaten Mevy Boufoudi (8-0, 3 KOs). At the Tokyo Olympics, Oumiha lost to Keyshawn Davis, the eventual silver medalist and current Top Rank-signed standout.
• French prospect Christ “Little T” Esabe (11-0, 3 KOs) takes a step up in class versus Venezuelan veteran Sander Diaz (13-8-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder at lightweight. Esabe is the reigning WBC Francophone featherweight champion and a former French featherweight champion.
• French amateur standout Victor Yoka, younger brother of Tony Yoka, will make his professional debut in a six-round lightweight bout against the durable Gurami Kurtanidze (4-14-5, 1 KO).
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now , Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced , Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV , Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19 , Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City , Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|