African risk without a happy ending: Patrick Korte seeks a sensation against Olympic champion Tony Yoka – and runs into a perfect uppercut.
The big coup failed to materialize. At the international boxing event in Lagos, Patrick Korte’s dream came to an end sooner than the heavyweight from Essen had hoped. The fight against French Olympic champion Tony Yoka was over after just a few minutes – a single hit decided the fight.
Korte had deliberately taken this risk. A fight against a much more highly rated opponent, far away from Europe, under unusual climatic and organizational conditions. But courage alone was not enough. Yoka controlled the action right from the start, using reach advantages, agility and timing – and patiently waited for his opportunity. It came in the first round. When Korte tried to close the distance, Yoka intercepted him with a cleanly placed uppercut. The strike was perfect. The German went down, the referee counted and ended the fight shortly afterwards. A clear sporting result, but a bitter one.
Korte had invested everything in the run-up to the game. New training stimuli, a fresh team of trainers and the determination to surprise once again. The unusual Fightweek in Nigeria – with open-air weigh-ins and show elements far removed from traditional boxing events – underlined the special character of the evening. In sporting terms, however, the international class prevailed.
For Yoka, it was a controlled must-win that should give him stability after a difficult few years. For Korte, the realization remains that the smallest mistakes are crucial at this level. After all, there were no serious health consequences.
The favorite also prevailed in the main fight of the evening. Lawrence Okolie clearly dominated his opponent and secured an early victory.