Emphatic first-round KO scored by Yoka

Tony Yoka is a rising heavyweight threat

Tony Yoka made an emphatic statement by knocking out Johann Duhaupas inside one round of their heavyweight fight.

The 2016 Olympic gold medallist Yoka extended his unbeaten pro record to 8-0 in Paris on Friday night by blitzing his fellow Frenchman.

Yoka floored his opponent twice – when he landed a big uppercut which sent Duhaupas flying backwards, the referee called off their fight.

Yoka’s opponent hasd gone 11 rounds with Deontay Wilder

Yoka needed less than a round to win his eighth fight

Duhaupas, although he is 39, is a former world title challenger who had gone 11 rounds with Deontay Wilder and the 12-round distance with Jarrell Miller. He also owns a win over Robert Helenius.

But he was no match for Yoka, 28, who is one of the hottest heavyweight talents in the world.

Since beating Britain’s Joe Joyce in the Olympic final, he made a successful pro debut against an opponent who had a 12-0 record, and owns a stoppage win over Dave Allen.

A year ban for missing two drug tests halted his progress but, in beating Duhaupas so decisively, Yoka is firmly back in the heavyweight division mix.

He was ranked before the fight at No 11 by the IBF and had signed to Bob Arum’s US-based Top Rank Promotions.

Joyce, denied a gold medal at Rio 2016 by the Frenchman, previously told Sky Sports: “Against Yoka would be the first time there has been an Olympic final rematch. If we’re both at a career stage where it makes sense, let’s make the fight happen.”

Yoka’s wife makes winning return

Estelle Yoka-Mossely is undefeated as a pro

Tony Yoka with his son, Ali

Estelle Yoka-Mossely, who is married to the heavyweight, won her fight on the same night four months after giving birth to her second child.

Yoka-Mossely won an Olympic gold medal for France alongside her husband four years ago.

She extended her pro record to 7-0 by outpointing Aurélie Froment.

Saturday 10pm, live on Sky Sports Main Event – Mairis Briedis vs Yuniel Dorticos in the World Boxing Super Series final.

Sky Sports schedule

WBSS final – Sept 26, live on Sky Sports
Yuniel Dorticos vs Mairis Briedis

The Golden Contract – Sept 30 live on Sky Sports
Ohara Davies vs Tyrone McKenna

Buatsi vs Calic – Oct 4, live on Sky Sports
Joshua Buatsi vs Marko Calic
Chantelle Cameron vs Adriana Dos Santos Araujo
Alen Babic vs Niall Kennedy
Aqib Fiaz vs Kane Baker
Linus Udofia vs John Harding Jr
John Hedges

Ritson vs Vazquez – Oct 17, live on Sky Sports
Lewis Ritson vs Miguel Vazquez
Savannah Marshall vs Hannah Rankin
Joe Laws
Kash Farooq
Qais Ashfaq
Thomas Patrick Ward

0:58

Oleksandr Usyk vs Derek Chisora on October 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office

Usyk vs Chisora – Oct 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office
Oleksandr Usyk vs Derek Chisora

Povetkin vs Whyte 2 – Nov 21, Sky Sports Box Office
Alexander Povetkin vs Dillian Whyte