Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka LIVE: Date, start time, undercard and how to follow to heavyweight clash

Lawrence Okolie is set to square off against Tony Yoka in the Frenchman’s backyard later this month.

Hackney puncher Okolie travels to Paris, France, to put his WBC No.1 heavyweight ranking on the line against Olympic gold medallist Yoka.

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Okolie jumped up to the glamour division in 2024 after dropping his WBO cruiserweight title to Chris Billam-Smith in a big upset.

Before becoming a fully fledged heavyweight, Okolie knocked out Lukasz Rozanski in Poland for the WBC bridgerweight title.

He has since compiled a 3-0 record in the blue riband weight class and looks to take one step closer to a world title with a win over Yoka.

The French amateur standout has struggled to replicate his successes in the paid ranks thus far.

A disastrous 19-month stretch between 2022 and 2023 saw Yoka lose three consecutive fights to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy.

However, the 33-year-old has rebounded with four straight wins.

Defeat to Okolie could spell the end of Yoka’s career, while victory would open the door to some massive fights.

Okolie vs Yoka: Date and how to follow

The heavyweight showdown takes place on Saturday, April 25, at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France.

Main event ringwalks are expected around 10pm UK time.

DAZN will be broadcasting the fight, while talkSPORT will stay across the action via talkSPORT.com and on air.

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To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

Listen via the talkSPORT app, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Okolie vs Yoka: Undercard

• MAIN EVENT: Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka – Heavyweight
• Bakary Samake vs Ermal Hadribeaj – Super welterweight
• Khalil El Hadri vs Liborio Solis – Super bantamweight
• Adam Olaniyan vs Andre Youmbi Oyen – Heavyweight
• Luis Vela vs Yeison Juarez – Super lightweight
• Enzo Marguerite vs Jeremy Alvarez – Super welterweight
• Mourad Aliev vs Jhan Carlo Delgado – Heavyweight

Okolie vs Yoka: What has been said?

Okolie told talkSPORT: “I think you are going to see me fight with a lot of passion and ferocity.

“When you are boxing a taller guy who is okay with sneaking a little split decision win, you have to go and get him.

“He won the Olympics the year I went to it, so this is my way of getting my Olympic gold medal from him.

“So I’m looking forward to putting it all on the line.”

Yoka told talkSPORT: “He doesn’t have anything better than me.

“I’m faster than him, I’m tougher than him, I’m a better athlete than him, I’m smarter than him, I’m even prettier than him.”

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.