2016 Olympic champion in Rio under the colors of France, boxer Tony Yoka denied on Tuesday that he wanted to represent the DR Congo at the Los Angeles Olympics. He had suggested the day before that he was going to change his sporting nationality, a few days after a visit to his father's country of origin, where he was received by President Félix Tshisekedi.
Published on: 02/24/2026 - 11:39 Modified on: 02/24/2026 - 18:43
Turnaround: Tony Yoka, 2016 Olympic champion in Rio under the colors of France, denied on Tuesday February 24 that he wanted to box for the Democratic Republic of Congo, his father's country of origin, with a view to the Los Angeles Olympic Games. “There is no question of me changing my sporting nationality,” said the boxer in a video posted on his Instagram account in the afternoon.
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However, he had hinted as much the day before in several posts on social networks. “I am proud to be able to make the Democratic Republic of Congo shine in the eyes of the world as well as to be able to honor my word and pay tribute to the Minister (of Sports and Leisure of the Democratic Republic of Congo) Didier Budimbu who trusts me in this adventure,” the 33-year-old heavyweight wrote on Monday on the social network
The boxer also shared a post from Didier Budimbu on his
“Supervising Congolese youth”
Born in Paris, Tony Yoka went to the Democratic Republic of Congo a few days ago, where he was received by President Félix Tshisekedi, according to photos published by Didier Budimbu.
The champion, however, specifies at the end of his video that he has "a project to open a boxing academy in Kinshasa, to supervise Congolese youth, and support them towards the highest level of boxing, which are the Olympic Games".
See alsoDR Congo: 50 years later, the “fight of the century” continues to inspire young boxers
But there is no question for him of aiming for Los Angeles 2028: “In no case, there is no question that I will go to the Olympics to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he clarifies. “I am and will remain a French Olympic champion. I have always worn the colors of our country high and that will not change.”
While he is in the process of relaunching his professional career, he claims to have taken out a Congolese boxing license "for the fight I have to make in Congo at the end of the year", promising "within 48 hours an announcement regarding (his) next fight".
After three devastating defeats against Martin Bakole in May 2022, Carlos Takam in March 2023 and Ryad Merhy in December 2023, Tony Yoka (15 victories, three defeats) is in full recovery and remains on four consecutive victories, the last against the German Patrick Korte, on December 21 in Lagos.
According to the president of the Congolese Boxing Federation Ferdinand Ilunga, the next fight would be a rematch against the Congolese Martin Bakole.
With AFP
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