Boxing made a comeback at the Roland-Garros stadium on Friday evening. Tony Yoka and Souleymane Cissokho, among others, emerged victorious, under the eyes of the Head of State and many personalities from the world of politics and entertainment.
The temple of French tennis returns to boxing. The Roland-Garros stadium, which has seen several big names in boxing like Marcel Cerdan, Carlos Monzon, Jean-Claude Bouttier, hosted a prestigious evening on Friday evening.
Under the eyes of Emmanuel Macron, Rachida Dati or even Valérie Pécresse and many stars such as Yannick Noah, Pascal Obispo, Clovis Cornillac, the French Tony Yoka shone on the central. The gold medalist of the Rio Games in 2016 retained his title of European Union heavyweight champion by beating the Croatian Petar Milas by stop of the referee on the 7th round. The 29-year-old posted his 11th success in as many fights, the 9th before the limit.
“A great victory to pay tribute to Mr. Belmondo”
He paid a moving tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo, boxing enthusiast, by brandishing a giant portrait of the “Magnificent”, in front of the 8000 spectators of the Philippe-Chatrier court, covered for the occasion. “I really wanted to win a great victory to pay tribute to Mr. Belmondo because he has always followed me, always supported for ten years. He was present at each of my pro fights, I had a big thought for him today, ”he said at the microphone of Canal + before posing with the portrait. “Thank you for everything you have done for boxing. Thank you for your unconditional support from the start, in the ring and especially outside, “reacted the boxer Monday, to the announcement of the death of Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Read also: Jean-Paul Belmondo, boxing passion
The portrait of “Bébel” was installed on a seat of the sports arena, the actor, buried Friday, being also a great faithful of Roland-Garros.
During this evening event, Souleymane Cissokho also retained his WBA intercontinental super-welterweight belt by beating the Russian Ismail Iliev by abandonment at the call of the 5th round. The 30-year-old, bronze medalist at the Rio Olympics in 2016, scored his 14th professional victory.
Between the 1930s and 1970s, Roland-Garros was a high place of noble art in France. This is where the fight lost by Jean-Claude Bouttier against the world champion of means, the Argentinian Carlos Monzon, took place on September 29, 1973.
Any reproduction prohibited
