Cruiserweight and Heavyweight thread.

NEW FACES

PRIMED AND READY

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT OLYMPIC CHAMP TONY YOKA HAS A LOT GOING FOR HIM – INCLUDING CONFIDENCE – AS HE PREPARES FOR HIS PRO DEBUT

'Tony Yoka doesn’t blend into many backgrounds. The 2016 Olympic super heavyweight champion from France is 6 feet 7 inches and 230 pounds, as well as charismatic and handsome. But on March 2 in a Manhattan hotel ballroom, Yoka sat on a small couch against a wall basically unseen. A few feet away, welterweight champion Keith Thurman fidgeted at a wide table, engulfed by reporters as he held court on his coming battle with Danny Garcia. Yoka, 24, was recognized by a lone reporter who spotted him sitting with his fellow 2016 Olympic gold medalist and fi ancee, Estelle Mossely. Despite his momentary anonymity, Yoka radiated confi dence, serving notice to the top professional heavyweights – including titleholder Anthony Joshua – that he doesn’t plan on being a bit player. “They don’t have the skill,” Yoka said of the division in general, speaking barely above a whisper so as not to disturb Thurman. “Joshua … I’m happy because he’s working. So now he has skill. He’s powerful. My skill? I’m born with it and also with speed. I know I’m the fastest heavyweight in the world. “I’m the most skilled heavyweight, and I move in the ring with my legs; I don’t just fight. I will take my time and when I’m ready, you will know it.” Yoka smiled as he spoke, reveling in the big-fight atmosphere a few feet away, knowing his time will come. He already has a highpowered team behind him. He signed in January with former Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who has scheduled his pro debut for June 2 in Paris. He has a deal in place with French broadcaster Canal+. And he’s guided by Andre Ward trainer Virgil Hunter, completing the all-star lineup. “I think I have the best coach for my career,” Yoka said. “Richard has a big history. A lot of promoters wanted to sign me. I met a lot of people. When I fight, I need to feel unique. I need my promoter to be focused on me. And Richard showed that he really wanted me. He came to Paris many times. He doesn’t live in France but he came. He showed me that he really wanted to work with me.” Yoka is jumping into a revitalized heavyweight division led by Joshua (a fellow Olympic gold medalist to whom he is often compared), Joseph Parker, Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko. He’s familiar with all of them. Yoka called Joshua a friend and Wladimir Klitschko someone who has imparted advice. He beat Parker in the finals of the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore “and I know he wants revenge,” Yoka said with a laugh. Despite the friendship with Joshua, Yoka would still fight him. “We’ve been friends for a while,” Yoka said. “He’s very good and has made progress with every fight. But I’ve been boxing since I was born. Really, for real, I’m not afraid of anybody. “I’m coming,” Yoka continued.

“I know they’re watching me, too, because they know I’m coming. It’s just sports, nothing personal.” Yoka already is well-known in France, the result of his amateur success, but he also wants to conquer the U.S. He spoke of making his U.S. debut later this year, possibly in December after fighting three times in France. “I know that I’m not a star here,” he said of the U.S. market. “I need to build my career. I have a big, big fan base in France. I need to fight there to be a star in my country and then come to the U.S.” Then Yoka got up, shook hands with the reporter and exited the room. No one seemed to notice. That is likely to change in the coming months.'

THE ESSENTIALS TONY YOKA
Age: 24
Weight class: heavyweight
Height: 6 feet 7 inches
Stance: orthodox
Hometown: Paris
Record: Pro debut scheduled for June 2.
Biggest strengths: Yoka is a very skilled heavyweight for his size. He moves well and has unusually fast hands. He can punch on the move, something that not many heavyweights can do, and he seems to have a good chin.
Biggest question marks: Does Yoka move too much? For someone his size, Yoka depends on his legs and movement a lot. It will be fascinating to see how his innate skills translate to the pros, where fights sometimes turn into grinding slugfests.