Every fighter, at some stage, needs a reset — a chance to shake things up and rediscover their hunger. For Olympic heavyweight champion Tony Yoka, that moment arrived after a frustrating stretch of defeats to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Ryad Merhy.
Following his third consecutive loss in December 2023, the Frenchman realised his partnership with longtime coach Virgil Hunter had run its course. Having trained under Hunter since turning professional in 2017, Yoka began to feel the isolation of life in the U.S. camps.
“I was lonely over there,” Yoka told Boxing News. “It was tough, especially in the last two years. Andre Ward retired, Amir Khan retired — the gym used to be full, but by the end, it was just me and Joshua Buatsi.
The U.S. is also too far from France. I was missing my kids. You train hard every day, but then go home alone. It wears you down.”
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With five children back home in Paris, Yoka’s decision to relocate became inevitable. “Training camp is suffering,” he continued, “but when I get back to Paris, my kids give me love and motivation. At 33, I want to build a legacy they can be proud of. Being a father keeps me disciplined — they wake you up at 7 a.m., so there’s no staying up late!”
A Career in Crisis
Beyond his professional struggles, Yoka was also dealing with personal turmoil. “I’m not making excuses, but I’d just gone through a divorce, and my training wasn’t right. After that third loss, I told myself, ‘I can’t keep losing to guys I should be beating.’ I needed to find myself again — the confident, hungry fighter who won Olympic gold.”
Determined to reignite that spark, Yoka looked to the UK, where world-class sparring opportunities abound. His search for a new coach didn’t take long — he quickly connected with Don Charles, known for his work with Daniel Dubois.
“Sometimes you need a new challenge,” said Yoka. “I met Don, and right away I knew. We didn’t even train yet, but his mentality convinced me. I need that father-son type of trust with my coach — in this sport, your life can depend on it.”
Clashes and Chemistry
However, their partnership had a rocky start. Charles initially refused to let Yoka spar Dubois, who was then under his guidance — a decision that didn’t sit well with the Frenchman.
“I was pissed off,” Yoka admitted. “I even said I’d stop coming to the gym. But eventually Don changed his mind, and when we sparred, the whole gym went silent. Everyone was shocked — it was great work.”
Looking Ahead
Now signed with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Yoka is eager to step back into the heavyweight mix. While he’s long been linked to Anthony Joshua, his focus is firmly on rebuilding momentum.
“I never turn down opponents — that’s why I fought Bakole first,” he said. “If the Joshua fight happens, sure, but I’m focused on my path. I want to fight early next year — January or February. Frank called last week and said he’s lining up something good. If they offered me Tyson Fury in eight weeks, I’d be ready.”
Setting the Record Straight
Yoka also hopes to clear the air about the 2018 doping ban that has followed him throughout his career. The suspension came after he missed three drug tests within a year — a violation he insists was due to oversight, not cheating.
“That was bad,” Yoka said. “In France, you have to tell them where you are every day, even when you’re not fighting. After winning gold in Rio, I took five months off and forgot to report my location. Then I got banned.
People saw the word ‘ban’ and called me a cheater — but I never used anything. Fighters like Tyson Fury, Dillian Whyte, and Jarrell Miller got caught with substances, but I didn’t.”
Whether fans believe him or not, Yoka is determined to rebuild his reputation — and his career — under new guidance.
With Don Charles in his corner and Frank Warren steering his promotional future, ‘La Conquête’ is ready to launch the next chapter of his journey, this time closer to home and, he hopes, closer to redemption.
