Yoka vs. Okolie and Samake’s WBC Eliminator Set for Paris in April 2026

Paris, France – April 25, 2026, is set to be a significant night for French boxing as the Arena Porte de la Chapelle hosts a compelling card headlined by the heavyweight clash between Tony Yoka and Lawrence Okolie, alongside a crucial super welterweight bout featuring Bakary Samaké. The event, organized by Samaké Promotion and Queensberry, will be broadcast live on DAZN.

Yoka’s Return Against Okolie

Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) returns to his hometown to face former world champion Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) in a heavyweight contest for the WBC Silver belt. Boxing247.com notes that Yoka, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has rebuilt his professional career with four consecutive wins after experiencing three straight defeats. Okolie, a two-weight world champion previously at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, is looking to make a statement in the heavyweight division.

The fight presents a challenging road test for Okolie, who will be fighting in hostile territory. Boxingnews24.com highlights that Okolie needs a victory to reinforce his position among the heavyweight elite, while Yoka aims to validate his recent resurgence on a major stage.

Samaké in WBC Final Eliminator

In a significant co-feature, undefeated super welterweight Bakary Samaké (19-0, 11 KOs) will compete in a WBC final eliminator against Ermal Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs). Sortiraparis.com reports that Samaké, representing Seine-Saint-Denis, is aiming to move closer to a WBC world title opportunity. The winner of this bout will be in a prime position to challenge for the world title.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the event are expected to go on sale during the week of March 2nd, though pricing details have not yet been announced. Boxing fans are encouraged to monitor the Arena Porte de la Chapelle’s schedule for updates and to secure their tickets promptly.

Looking Ahead

This boxing evening promises a thrilling night of action for fans in Paris and those watching on DAZN. With high-stakes matchups and the return of a local hero in Tony Yoka, the event is poised to reignite boxing enthusiasm in France.