2023-12-09 22:39:00
Ryad Merhy beat Tony Yoka unanimously by the judges (96-94, 96-94, 96-94), this Saturday evening, at the Roland-Garros stadium in a ten-round heavyweight fight with no stakes. The 31-year-old Belgian boxer largely dominated a transparent Frenchman who logically conceded his third consecutive defeat (for 11 victories) in front of a much more inspired and aggressive opponent.
“I did the job and I thank all the Belgians and my family who made the trip,” commented Merhy in the ring following his 32nd victory (2 defeats) among the pros. “I thank Tony Yoka for the opportunity. His jab is very effective, we might see it at the start of the fight, and for my part I might have done a little more. But next time I will be even better heavy weights !”
Tony Yoka never really threatened the Belgian, in fact quite the opposite happened.
For his part, Tony Yoka, with a marked face and who had come close to being punished in the 4th round, pretended not to understand a decision that was nevertheless perfectly fair.
“Ryad is a very good boxer, that’s why we chose him, but I had the feeling I did enough during this fight to win. That’s how it is, it’s boxing.”
Ryad Merhy takes on the mountain Tony Yoka: here is how the Belgian boxer can win his fight on Saturday at Roland-Garros
Except that the Olympic champion, for this duel which was to mark his return to business following two difficult to digest setbacks, never really weighed on the fight. Having only used his front arm sparingly, he facilitated the designs of Ryad Merhy, who took the opportunity to place quick attacks to the body and head which quickly undermined the Frenchman’s confidence.
The Frenchman was overwhelmed by the vivacity of the former light heavyweight. ©AFP or licensors
With a blank look, not knowing what to do to regain control of the fight, Tony Yoka seemed completely extinct despite the motivating words of his new coach Don Charles. And in the end, incredibly passive, he never justified his unnecessarily arrogant pre-fight speech, garnering whistles from his own audience following the ten rounds.
Ryad Merhy, who we saw in a more aggressive attitude than ever, for his part knew how to remain lucid from the start to the end of this duel to win a completely deserved victory. It’s just a shame that there was no title at stake…
Ryad Merhy is done with his preparation: “On December 9, Tony Yoka will have more to lose than me”
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