This past Saturday night, heavyweight veteran Carlos Takam (now 40-7-1 28 KO’s) secured a big victory when he defeated Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka (now 11-2 9 KO’s) in Paris, France, notching his 40th professional victory.
It was a clear decision victory for Takam, who controlled the pace and action of the fight from the start.
Known as the gate keeper of the heavyweight division, Takam was too much for Yoka, shutting down his aspirations of heavyweight glory.
With the victory Takam proved he has much left in the tank at the spry age of 42.
Takam is now looking to get his hands on top contender Martin Bakole, who handed Yoka his first career defeat last year.
“The big lion in the forest is not going to leave his play for a little one. Is Martin Bakole ready? I want Sky to organize that fight,” Takam said. “Martin Bakole’s like a little brother to me, like Tony [Yoka].”
Takam explains that he wasn’t happy with the live crowd turning on Yoka in the aftermath.
Spectators began to boo Yoka, a fighter who Takam respects.
The tough veteran admits he was worried of being robbed, when the official scores were being announced and one of the three judges scored the contest in favor of Yoka.
“Of course, I was worried, because in the last round I hurt my shoulder. I could not move [his right arm]. I was like, ‘Oh it’s finished,'” Takam said. “Oh my God, what am I going to do? But I tried, I worked my jab, I worked my hook, my left hook. I tried everything to win that fight.
“I’m feeling good. I prepared really hard for that fight. I want to say in that camp, I worked like crazy,” he continued. “Tony I have respect for him. I’m really happy for that victory because it was not easy.”