Tony Yoka will face the biggest test of his professional career to date as he tackles Lawrence Okolie in a Paris homecoming at Adidas Arena on April 25
The Frenchman, who won gold at Rio 2016 in the super-heavyweight category, last fought on home soil in May with a first-round KO against Patrick Korte.
Now, he will bid to enter the conversation for a world title shot against Okolie, currently the WBO’s number-one ranked heavyweight contender.
Behind only champion Oleksandr Usyk and interim strap holder Agit Kabayel with the WBC, Okolie had been hopeful of securing a bout with the latter.
Now, the former WBO cruiserweight champion will instead make the short trip across the English Channel to tackle a home favourite keen to rebuild his stock.
Yoka was tipped to follow gold at the Olympics with a glittering professional career, but suffered a brutal run of three reverses between 2022 and 2023.
A majority loss to Martin Bakole, followed by split-decision defeats against Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy significantly dented his glamour-division reputation.
"I am thrilled to be extending our reach to the French capital,†Queensberry’s Frank Warren said.. "As in Britain and Germany, the passion for boxing in France runs deep.
"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.”