Heavyweights Clash in France
Tony Yoka has been heavily favored with boxing lines to bounce back from his first loss against Carlos Takam on Saturday.
The sportsbook has the local hope at -600 to win, which appears too short on face value. He faces a battle-hardened Takam, who has faced tougher opponents throughout his career.
Does Yoka’s Record Stand Up?
We give credit to Yoka for going the distance against Martin Bakole, but we don’t think it warrants such a short quote for this fight.
Sports betting online odds have him at skinny odds to bounce back, but we see holes in his 11-1 record.
The 30-year-old is experienced at the top level and he hasn’t beaten many good fighters. His win over Petar Milas was solid, but he is yet to fight outside of France. The same can’t be said for Takam, who has fought all around the world against title holders.
That could be the difference, but there is market confidence in Yoka so his future could be bright.
Fighting in France again is a positive. Had this fight been in the U.S., his odds would have been around -350, so bettors are paying for hometown advantage.
French fighters don’t have a great record in boxing, which is another worry. Is he the next big thing in France? Or just another hyped-up fighter who can’t hack the big time?
Those questions will be answered against Takam, who isn’t exactly “big time” anymore, but he has been in the past.
Age No Barrier for Takam
He might be 42, but we don’t believe age is a barrier for Takam (39-7-1).
The Cameroon-born fighter has taken his talents outside of France, which Yoka has yet to do. That’s what could separate them on Saturday, not including Takam’s experience against the very best in the game.
Boxing news suggests he’s ready to go and bounce back from losses to Arslanbek Makhmudov and Joe Joyce, who are much more credentialed fighters than Yoka.
Takam also has experience fighting against Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, all former title holders. He might have lost those fights, but the experience is invaluable, especially against a guy with only 12 fights to his name.
“The public is going to enjoy it, we are going to hit each other for a long time. We’re really going to have fun, it’s going to scream, it’s going to bleed, it’s going to be a good fight,” Takam said.
“We know each other, we respect each other. I respect him. I know that you criticize him a lot in France. But he’s a great talent, Tony. I wish him to be world champion one day. But he has to pass the ‘Takam’ stage first.”
Bettors could find value in the +400 in sports betting markets.
Yoka vs Takam Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between Yoka vs Takam.
Yoka vs Takam Fight Information
- Fight: Yoka (11-1) vs Takam (39-7-1)
- Location: Zenith de Paris La Villette, Paris, France
- Day/Time: Saturday, Mar 11, 2 p.m. ET
- Yoka vs Takam Live stream: Box Live
Yoka vs Takam Betting Lines
Yoka vs Takam Picks and Prediction
We can’t take the -600 for Yoka, so our boxing picks have Takam winning at upset Boxing odds.
The +400 is well worth snapping up for the more experienced fighter, who isn’t there just to collect his money.
As the fight goes on, he becomes more dangerous, and he has the power to hand his countryman consecutive losses.
Yoka is listed at -600 in our Vegas boxing lines. This means that if you wager $100 on Yoka, you have a chance to win $17. Takam is +400, offering a chance to win $400 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Yoka an 85.71% chance to win, with Takam at 20.00%.
