By Ken Hissner: At the Accord Hotels and Arena, Paris Xll, Paris, France, before a packed house over ESPN+ Saturday, Allstar Boxing featured in the Main Event Gold Medalist and EBU Heavyweight champion Tony “La Conquete” Yoka of France, who hit the canvas twice losing a lopsided decision to Martin “Makabu” Bakole of the Democrat Republic Of The Congo and Scotland, UK, over ten rounds.
In the main event, Olympic Gold Medalist and EBU Heavyweight champion Tony “La Conquete” Yoka, 11-1 (9), #241 ½, of Paris, France, lost to Martin “Makabu” Bakole, 18-1 (13), #276, of the Democrat Republic Of The Congo and Scotland, UK, over 10 round
In the first round, Yoka started out moving using his jab well.
In the final half-minute, Bakole rocked Yoka with a right driving him into the ropes and followed with another right dropping Yoka for an 8-count from Referee Vincent Dupas. In the second round, Bakole continued beating on Yoka, easily winning another round. In the third round, Bakole drew blood from the nose of Yoka and a cut on the left eyebrow.
In the fourth round, Bakole used a solid left hook, while any right Yoka lands gets a cheer from the crowd, losing another round. In the fifth, what looked like Bakole stepping on the foot of Yoka caused Yoka to go to the canvas, and referee Dupas ruled it a knockdown. Yoka had his best round in the sixth round but not enough to win it as Bakole was landing less.
In the seventh round, Yoka landed right uppercuts on the chin of Bakole in the first minute. Bakole was slowing down in a close round.
In the eighth round, Yoka did well as Bakole motioned for him to stand still as he was slowed to not chasing Yoka. In the ninth round, both fighters hardly threw but a few punches. In the tenth and final round, Yoka moved around just looking to finish on his feet, not landing a punch for the first half of the round as Bakole did enough to easily win in a major upset.
Scored it 98-90 by this writer.
Lightweight Olympic Silver Medalist Sofiane Oumiha, 2-0 (1), of Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, FR, defeated Mevy “Sans Issue” Boufoudi, 8-1 (3), of Fontenay-sous-Bois, Valle-de-Marne, FR, over eight competitive rounds.
In the first two rounds, Boufoudi switched from orthodox to southpaw and back more than holding his own against the favored Olympian. In the third round’s final seconds, Boufoudi got under Oumiha and almost lifted him over the ropes. In the fifth round, the action continued with little to choose between the two boxers, with Oumiha showboating in this round.
Boufoudi lost his mouthpiece for the third time in the sixth round, being penalized a point. Oumiha seemed slightly ahead but had his hands full with Boufoudi. In the seventh round, a right uppercut from Oumiha on the chin knocked out the mouthpiece for the fourth time, losing another point for Boufoudi. Oumiha was trying to finish Boufoudi off in the eighth and final round, but the latter wasn’t having it in a very competitive eight rounds.
This writer had it 77-71 due to losing 2 points for the loser. Referee was Smail Alitouche.
Lightweight Christ “Little T” Esabe, 12-0 (3), of Les Mureaux, Yvelines, FR, defeated Sander Diaz, 13-9-1 (9), of Valencia, Comunidad, Valenciana, VZ, over eight solid rounds.
In the first four rounds, Esabe used a quick jab and left hooks to the body against the shorter Diaz, who held his own and scored with several rights to the chin. In the fifth round’s final minute, Esabe drew blood from the nose of Diaz.
In the seventh round, the body attack from Esabe has taken its toll on Diaz, who is slowing down with his offense. Esabe plays to the crowd, who cheer his combinations. In the eighth and final round, Esabe rocked Diaz with a right to the chin a minute into the round.
In the final minute again, Esable landed a right on the chin, buckling Diaz’s knees. In the last twenty seconds, a left hook to the chin hurt Diaz, who was bleeding from the nose and mouth but put up a gallant effort.
The score was 79-73 on this writer’s card. The referee was Sylvain Markazi Soroush.