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2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tony Yoka will make his first appearance in over a year this August, facing veteran Alexander Dimitrenko in Antibes, France.
Yoka (5-0, 4 KO) received a 12-month suspension from the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) last year after missing three separate drug tests. Dave Allen, whom Yoka stopped in 10 last June, claims there was no drug testing for their bout.
I believe the correct phrase here is “appearance of impropriety.”
Still, he shouldn’t have any particular issues with Dimitrenko (41-5, 26 KO). The Russian doesn’t have much going for him besides height and reach, both of which Yoka match. He’s coming off of stoppage losses to Bryant Jennings and Andy Ruiz, the latter of which came in April on the Danny Garcia-Adrian Granados undercard, and his only notable victory of the past seven years was a knockout of Adrian Granat in 2017.
What’s the plan for Yoka, you think? He was free to fight outside France during his suspension, but said he didn’t want to. Does he continue to cruise in his home country? Push for a Joyce rematch?