The fight between heavyweight contenders Tony Yoka and Martin Bakole has been rescheduled for May 14 at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. Their originally scheduled January 15 bout was postponed due to COVID restrictions. Yoka has a chance to fight Filip Hrgovic in an IBF heavyweight eliminator, but Bakole protested to the IBF saying he still has a deal to face Yoka and therefore Yoka isn’t available to take the fight with Hrgovic. The IBF ruled in favor of Bakole.
Yoka sent a chilling message to Bakole on Instagram:
“I had a chance for a fight that I have been waiting years for, but thanks to you we will still have to wait. May 14th will be personal.”
I guess we should be expecting a career-best performance from Yoka then. I heard Hrgovic is fighting Zhang now.
Hrgovic was what we wanted to see.
but this is still a pretty good matchup
I agree. Hrgovic v Yoka would have been great, but Bakole is no walkover. Rumors are Hrgovic is fighting Zilei Zhang, which is decent as well. Both represent some challenges, although I’d expect Hrgovic and Yoka to win.
Pity this fight is now only in May. Some interesting fights coming up with all these next generation heavyweights.