Boxing in France took a colossal hit when Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka put together a hat-trick of sub-par performances in Paris to go three fights without a win.

The 2016 Olympic squad in Rio spelled exciting times for French boxing with the likes of Christian Mbilli, lightweight gold medalist Estelle Mossely and bronze medalist Souleymane Cissokho joining Yoka. The Olympic super heavyweight champion was to be the tip of the spear following a dormant spell for boxing in the country. France claimed six medals in Rio, with Sofiane Oumiha, Mathieu Bauderlique and Sarah Ourahmoune adding to the haul. 

However, Yoka’s role as flag bearer for boxing in his country looks to be over after lackluster losses to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy. 

“I know Tony very well,” Cissokho said in an exclusive for BoxingScene. “We’ve been together since the junior national team. We had a lot of competitions together and when we both turned pro we went to work with V [Virgil Hunter]. Tony is my bro. 

“After the Olympics, he had that gold medal so he was the face of boxing in France. He was the first heavyweight Olympic champion, it brought back the TV. He had a hard time, but I think he is going to be back. I believe in him, but a lot of people don’t believe in him anymore. We will see.” 

The torch has now been passed to Cissokho to lead the way for Paris. All Star Boxing [France] have recently outbid PBC by more than $120,000 to stage Cissokho’s soon to be announced WBC final eliminator against Canada’s Cody Crowley in the French capital. With Cissokho just one fight away from a world title shot, he’s become the man tasked with bringing the big time back to his homeland. 

“I’m very happy and proud to now be the face of boxing in France,” Cissokho said. “It’s been a while since I fought in Paris, so I’m very happy to go back home. I’ve got a big fanbase in Paris. I was raised in Paris and I still live there. They all can’t wait to see me fight, I think we are going to make some noise on fight night.”

Cissokho, 17-0 (9 KOs), spent the first two years in the paid ranks building his record at home. He would momentarily sign with London based 258 Management and that would see him experience four fights in the USA, one on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders. The 32-year-old Parisian plans to secure a world title fight in his city as the welterweight division awaits Terence Crawford’s departure.

“I left 258 about six months ago,” Cissokho explained. “I’m now working with Jerome [Abiteboul] to bring boxing back to Paris. He’s a good guy, we have each other's back and we trust each other. Right now, we are having a bad time with boxing in France. MMA is getting bigger here and it’s getting a lot of attention that boxing had. We have no big face for boxing right now in France. 

“We have a lot of good fighters, but the money and TV is not there anymore, so it’s very hard. The best fighters in France have signed with promoters which means they fight outside of France. I spoke with Jerome and he wanted this fight back in France. It’s very good because he’s very passionate and he loves boxing. He knows that I’m close to a world title so he’s ready to put a lot of energy into this fight with Crowley.

“We need to put a lot of effort into this fight. There is also an IBF purse bid involving Crowley and Jaron Ennis, so we will have to see what is going on.”

A date in early June is the likely outcome for the chance to fight for the WBC title. Current champion Terence Crawford is expected to vacate in the near future, with Mario Barrios – who fights on the Canelo-Jaime Munguia bill in Las Vegas on May 4 – installed as interim champion. Cissokho Vs Crowley will determine who faces off with either for the title. 

“I’m always looking at the top dogs in my weight category,” Cissokho continued. “Crowley is a good fighter, he’s an active fighter who uses a lot of pressure. I like this type of fight. I’m happy with the opportunity. He’s undefeated like me, my level goes up when the challenge is there. Obviously Crawford will be moving [up] and I think Mario will become champion, but there will be a lot of opportunities for great fights in this division. 

“I know Mario very well actually. We trained together for five years. He used to work with Virgil Hunter, and I’m still working with him. He was my team mate, he is my brother to be honest. We are very good friends, we’ve spent a lot of time together. We’ve never spoken about fighting each other, I just message him to say good luck or congratulations. He came to Paris a couple of months ago actually, we went to a restaurant together and things like that.”

Nordine Oubaali is the last Frenchman to hold a world title, he held the WBC bantamweight title January 2019-May 2021. The last two Frenchmen to win world titles on French soil were Jean Marc Mormeck, who claimed the WBA and WBC cruiserweight belts over O’Neil Bell in March 2007, and Brahim Asloum also defeated Juan Carlos Reveco for the WBA light flyweight title in December that same year.

“I don’t want all the light on me,” Cissokho added. “If I can bring boxing back to France for everyone, then that is great for me. The light is on me now, so okay, I need to make the light shine. There will be pressure, but I am used to all sorts of situations. I’ve been away and learnt a lot. I think boxing can be big again in France. 

“They love boxing in Paris. The people I speak to, they can’t wait for boxing to come back. Since Tony, there has been nothing. I moved here when I was four-years-old. My dad was working at the Bank of Senegal and they moved him to Paris. I didn’t start boxing until I was 14. It all happened very quickly. I ended up being the captain of the French team when I won the bronze medal. I did try football [soccer], but I wasn’t very good. It was a tough area where I grew up. A lot of my friends fell into cocaine and things like that. But, I always had enough good people, like big brothers looking out for me to get me where I am today. I’ll do the same for kids in Paris today.”