London, UK (March 21, 2024) - Trainer Don Charles is eyeing a potential rematch from the 2016 Olympic super heavyweight final as he works with French heavyweight Tony Yoka. Yoka, who controversially defeated Joe Joyce in the Rio Games, is looking to resurrect his career after facing three consecutive losses.

Charles, who coaches Yoka, believes that boxing fans might witness a compelling rematch between Yoka and Joyce, considering the disputed decision from their Olympic encounter. Yoka, currently standing at 11-3 with 9 knockouts, has faced setbacks in his recent fights against Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Ryad Merhy. Bakole secured a majority decision victory over Yoka, while the other two verdicts ended in split decisions.

Despite the recent challenges, Yoka remains determined to revitalize his career, and Charles is optimistic about his protege's prospects. Charles revealed that Yoka is now residing in England, and they are actively working towards arranging his first fight in the UK, possibly scheduled for May.

“He wants to resurrect his career because it took a bit of a dip,” said Charles, highlighting Yoka's eagerness to bounce back.

Charles, known for his work with veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora and rising contender Daniel Dubois, is open to exploring potential matchups for his fighters. While he entertains the idea of a Joyce-Dubois rematch, Charles is particularly intrigued by the possibility of a rematch between Yoka and Joyce.

“The fight right there in the future for Tony Yoka is against Joe Joyce," Charles stated. "That’s a great rematch right there; Joe Joyce and Tony Yoka. I think people will be interested in that, and that could be a great fight in the future.”

Despite being written off by some in the professional ranks after just 14 fights, Yoka, standing at 6 feet 7 inches, remains a project for Charles. Charles sees Yoka's transition from amateur to professional boxing as a work in progress and aims to make significant improvements to his style and approach.

“Yes, because he’s over here now,” Charles explained. “He’s been with us for four-and-a-half months. We’re trying to restructure him. He’s far, far from where he should be as a gold medallist, so the aim is to get him to make that transition of fighting more like a pro than an amateur just scoring points, and people will see the changes that we are making stylistically.”

With Yoka's determination, coupled with Charles' expertise and guidance, boxing fans may witness a rejuvenated top heavyweight eager to reclaim his position among the division's elite. As Yoka continues to adapt and evolve under Charles' tutelage, the prospect of a rematch with Joyce adds an intriguing chapter to his journey of redemption in the ring.