Tony Yoka Dispatches Petar Milas Early And Wants A Big Name Next
If you haven’t heard of the name Tony “La Conquete” Yoka, now is the time to get educated. The French prospect added to his winning streak with a knockout over undefeated Croatian Peter Milas live on ESPN+.
TONY YOKA (11-0, 8 KOs)
Yoka is easily seen as one of the more skilled prospects at heavyweight and he has no problem telling you this. In 2016, he achieved an Olympic gold medal by defeating current WBO #2, WBC #3 and IBF #6 ranked heavyweight Joe Joyce. Not only that, he has beaten other noticeable names as an amateur such as Ivan Dychko, Filip Hrgovic and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker. Although at 29 years-old, he may not have much time left to be moved as such.
He has already expressed his desire to mix it up with some of the top names in the sport. After Joyce’s win over domestic foe Daniel Dubois, Yoka immediately called Joyce out for a rematch of their Olympic battle.
Currently ranked #9, #10 and #15 by the IBF, WBC and WBO respectively, many fans are ready to see what he can do against the top brass at heavyweight. It may be time to put him to the test!
PETAR MILAS (15-1, 11 KOs)
Milas is pretty unknown to the world but has managed to maintain an undefeated record while compiling some noticeable wins on his resume. He became one of only three fighters to stop the durable Kevin Johnson in 2018. Milas immediately followed up with a win over former ranked contender Francesco Pianeta. Having fought the majority of his career in Germany and his native Croatia, this will be just his third bout outside of those two countries.
STALKING THE PREY
Yoka wanted to make a statement with a decisive KO. Early on, he stalked the smaller Milas, who was very timid and did plenty of circling the ring. Milas is a switch-hitting spot fighter who likes to jump in, flurry, then jump back outside. It’s something you rarely see from a heavyweight, and the Frenchman had to make some adjustments. However, Yoka did just that as he utilized the jab and focus his power shots on the body.
During the middle rounds, the Frenchman continued to work the midsection. The effects started to show as Milas’ punch output started to show. Then with thiry-five seconds to go in round seven, Yoka exploded with a beautiful counter left hook that put Milas down on the canvas.
A follow assault from Yoka produced a second knockdown towards the end of the round. Milas got up but had the look of someone who wanted no more. Referee Ammas Sakraoui had seen enough and correctly called a halt to the contest.
Fighting in front of his hometown crowd of Paris, France, Yoka got the conclusive knockout he was craving. Now he feels ready to step up the level of competition. His goal is to fight a Top fifteen heavyweight in 2022.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
