Former champion travels to Paris as Yoka headlines at Adidas Arena
Queensberry stages its first Paris event on April 25 at the Adidas Arena, led by Tony Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) against Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) at heavyweight. The card also features Bakary Samake (19-0, 11 KOs) meeting Ermal Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs) in a WBC super welterweight final eliminator.
Yoka returns to his home city after rebuilding in England. The 2016 Olympic gold medalist began his professional run 11-0 before three straight defeats slowed his rise. He now enters on a four-fight win streak and faces a ranked opponent under home support.
Okolie, 33, has held world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight. Now competing at heavyweight, he carries the WBC Silver belt and has fought three times at the weight. His last appearance came against Kevin Lerena at Wembley Stadium. The Silver belt keeps him placed near the top tier of the WBC rankings.
Frank Warren outlined the intention behind the show.
“I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,” Warren said.
“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.
Okolie fights tall, probes with a long jab, and is comfortable clinching before he rebuilds his stance and sets the right hand. At heavyweight, he leans on straight shots and upper-body strength in tight quarters. Yoka works best when he establishes his jab, sets his feet, and lets combinations go in sequence. When he commits downstairs and keeps his guard disciplined, he scores clean. When pressure forces him upright, he can be backed toward the ropes.
“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.”
At 154 pounds, Samake’s bout with Hadribeaj determines the next name advanced in the WBC line. Samake captured the WBC Silver belt with a stoppage of Wade Ryan and defended it against Roarke Knapp. Hadribeaj, a Miami-based southpaw, has held the WBC International title since 2022 and enters off a decision win in Tirana.
April 25 places Yoka in front of his home crowd against a ranked former champion, while Samake fights for position in the WBC order.