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Jarrell Miller Faces Former Olympic Champion Tony Yoka In
Accra, Ghana On December 20
Matchroom Boxing returns to Ghana this Christmas for ‘The
Showdown II’ with a blockbuster Heavyweight showdown as WBA
World No.1-ranked Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller takes on former
Olympic Champion Tony Yoka at The Grand Arena, Accra
International Conference Centre, on Sunday, December 20 –
live worldwide on DAZN.
Promoted alongside Legacy Rise Sports, in association with
BXG and Queensberry Promotions, the event marks Matchroom’s
second venture to the African continent as it heads back to
the vibrant capital of Accra.
Thrilling Super Welterweight prospect Odel Kamara continues
his professional journey on the undercard in Ghana, where he
has roots from his mother.
The electrifying young Liverpool fighter, 22, made an
impressive start to life in the paid ranks last month with a
third-round stoppage victory over Thodoris Ritzakis on his
debut in Birmingham. A seven-time National Amateur Champion,
Kamara will now look to build on his exciting start and gain
further experience on the international stage.
And fresh from his emphatic knockout victory on debut in
Sheffield last month, rising North-East Cruiserweight
sensation Divine Omojor joins Kamara on the action-packed
card, alongside an exciting contingent of homegrown talent.
Ghanaian Light Heavyweights Jonathan Tetteh (12-0, 11 KOs)
and Elvis Ahorgah (15-4, 13 KOs) who collide, along with
Ghana’s unbeaten Lightweight contender and Tokyo 2020
Olympics Bronze Medallist Samuel Takyi (9-0, 9 KOs) and
undefeated Super Flyweight hopeful Theo Allotey (15-0, 11
KOs). Plus, 10-0 (9 KOs) Dutch Lightweight knockout artist
Jursly Vargas returns to Accra, where he stopped Isaac
Dowuona back in April, as he bids to extend his flawless
resumé.
All eyes, of course, will be on a compelling Heavyweight
clash between hard-hitting American Miller and France’s 2016
Olympic Champion Yoka.
Enjoying an impressive run of form in 2026, with
back-to-back victories over Lenier Pero and Kingsley Ibeh,
37-year-old Miller sits atop the WBA Heavyweight rankings
and is firmly in contention for a shot at reigning holder
Murat Gassiev next – or the winner of Anthony Joshua versus
Tyson Fury, who meet for the ‘Super’ Heavyweight crown in
Cardiff on December 11.
Standing in the Brooklyn bulldozer's way on December 20 is a
formidable opponent in the shape of ‘The Artist’ Yoka.
The 34-year-old Paris native (15-3, 12 KOs), who is
represented by Queensberry Promotions, has won his last four
fights, three inside the distance, and will be determined to
upset the odds in Accra. Yoka is no stranger to fighting on
the continent, having secured an impressive first-round
stoppage of Germany’s Patrick Korte in Nigeria in his last
outing a year ago.
It promises to be a December to remember in boxing’s blue-riband
division, with Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn
confident that Miller and Yoka will deliver a festive
spectacle for fight fans around the world.
“What a way to end the year. This is a serious fight and one
that will cap an incredible month of Heavyweight boxing,”
said Hearn.
“With AJ versus Fury to look forward to the weekend before,
alongside David Adeleye and Leo Atang both in action the
following night in Monte-Carlo, we are closing the year in
style with the heavy hitters – and the main event in Ghana
will not disappoint.
“Jarrell Miller is ranked No.1 in the world, and a win over
a tough, former Olympic Champion in Tony Yoka will
undoubtedly set him up for some major nights ahead in 2027.
It will be an absolute war.
“We are proud to return to Ghana with a brilliant card which
is absolutely stacked from top to bottom, which includes
another exciting glimpse of Odel Kamara and Divine Omojor.”
Ghana, of course, boasts a proud and storied boxing
heritage, having produced generations of exceptional
fighters, including the legendary former two-weight World
Champion, Azumah Nelson.
And Legacy Rise Sports Chief Executive Officer, Sharaf
Mahama, added: “This is a blockbuster heavyweight clash,
complemented by an exciting next-generation undercard that
showcases the depth of boxing talent Ghana has to offer.
“We are delighted to welcome Matchroom Boxing back to Ghana
for what promises to be another spectacular night of boxing.
Miller versus Yoka is a huge Heavyweight contest, and we are
proud to bring a fight of this calibre to Accra. The
atmosphere and appetite for boxing in Ghana are incredible,
and we want to continue showcasing that passion to the
world.
“Ghana has a proud boxing heritage, built by legends such as
Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and D.K Poison. At Legacy Rise
Sports, we want to build on that legacy and help establish
Ghana as a major hub for international boxing, attracting
world-class fighters and events to Africa.
"We look forward to putting together another blockbuster on
DAZN alongside our partners at Matchroom Boxing and BXG and
giving Ghanaian, and worldwide, fans a night to remember.”
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