Carlos Takam


Armand Carlos Netsing Takam is a Cameroonian French former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2023. He challenged once for the unified WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles in 2017. At regional level, he held multiple heavyweight championships, and challenged once for the Commonwealth title in 2021. As an amateur, he represented Cameroon at the 2004 Olympics.
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Early life

Carlos Takam was born in Douala, Cameroon. He competed as an amateur boxer for his home country of Cameroon. He later moved to France and holds French citizenship.

Amateur career

Takam competed at the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, Takam captured the bronze medal in his weight division.
In 2004 he represented his native country, Cameroon, at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece but was beaten in the round of sixteen by Egypt's Mohamed Aly. Takam qualified for the Athens Games by winning the gold medal at the 1st AIBA African 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Casablanca, Morocco. In the decisive final of the event he defeated Angolan fighter Georgio Cabta.

Professional career

Early career

Takam made his professional debut in France on 10 December 2005, when he defeated Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf of Belgium. He went on to build up a record of 17–0 by the end of 2008. His first loss as a professional came in June 2009, when he lost to undefeated French prospect Grégory Tony by unanimous decision over eight rounds. Following this loss Takam went on to gain four knockout wins by the end of 2010. Takam’s first fight of 2011 was against Gbenga Oluokun of Nigeria. Takam won the bout by stoppage in the sixth round after Oluokun retired on his stool. Takam picked up the vacant WBO Africa heavyweight title by beating Oluokun. He went on to beat Samir Kurtagić on 2 December 2011.
Takam next fought on 31 March 2012, when he faced former world title challenger Frans Botha. Takam won the fight by knockout in the 11th round to retain his WBO Africa heavyweight title and also pick up to vacant WBF International heavyweight title. Takam went on to fight two more times in 2012, defeating Thomas Mrazek and Ivica Perkovic.
On 24 May 2013, Takam took on former world title challenger Michael Grant. Takam knocked Grant out in the eighth round to claim the WBF heavyweight title. Takam fought again in December 2013, when he knocked out Jakov Gospic in three rounds.

Career from 2014–2015

Takam vs. Perez

Takam made his HBO debut on 18 January 2014 against Cuban Mike Perez. The fight started slowly, with little action in the first five rounds, however, Takam took over starting in round six, as he planted his feet inside and was able to work Perez over. The Cuban's arms got heavier and heavier as the fight went on, and he didn't seem to have his usual snap or speed. Takam was able to hurt Perez in round six and round ten.
BLH had the fight 97–93 for Takam, giving him rounds six through ten after a 3–2 start in Perez's favour. Official scores were 96–94 and 95–95 two times for the majority draw.

Takam vs. Thompson

On 6 June 2014 Takam took on Tony Thompson, at the Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan in Paris, France. The 33-year-old Takam aggressively took the fight to the 42-year-old Thompson. Thompson had some success counter-punching, but Takam’s relentless work-rate overwhelmed Thompson at times. Takam dominated the fight and began to punish Thompson more and more as the bout progressed. Takam won the fight by unanimous decision with scores of 117–111, 117–111, and 119–109 to win the vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title.

Takam vs. Povetkin

In October 2014 Takam faced Russian Alexander Povetkin at the Luzhiniki Palace of Sports in Moscow, Russia. In a close fight that was a contender for fight of the year, Takam lost the fight via 10th round KO after Poventkin landed a left hook to the head of Takam.

Takam vs. Nascimento, Sprott, Arias

Takam fought three times in 2015, defeating Marcelo Nascimento and Michael Sprott by knockout and George Arias by unanimous decision in an eight round bout.

Career from 2016–2017

Takam vs. Parker

On 21 May 2016 Carlos Takam fought Joseph Parker in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator. The winner would be required to fight for the world title against the reigning champion, Anthony Joshua of Britain. Prior to the fight being announced, Parker and his handlers twice avoided fighting Takam the previous year because of the risk involved. The fight took place with Parker winning a unanimous decision after twelve rounds, in front of a vocal home crowd at South Auckland's Vodafone Events Centre in New Zealand. Two judges scored it 116–112, and one at 115–113. Despite the result the fight was very close until the end with Takam landing painful and dangerous combinations of shots.

Takam vs. Rekowski, Bacurin

Takam’s first fight of 2017 took place on 29 January, when he faced Marcin Rekowski of Poland. Takam won the fight by fourth round knockout. He next fought in June 2017, Defeating Ivica Bacurin by knockout in the second round.

World title challenge

Takam vs. Joshua

On 16 October 2017, Takam was made a late replacement to fight Anthony Joshua on 28 October at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, after Joshua's original opponent Kubrat Pulev pulled out of their fight with a shoulder injury. Takam gave a brave performance and took Joshua 10 rounds before the referee stepped in and waved the fight off after Joshua landed a flurry of punches.

Career from 2018

Takam vs. Chisora

On 15 June 2018, it was confirmed that Takam would face Derek Chisora on 28 July at The O2 Arena, London, England, on the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs. Joseph Parker. Chisora knocked out Takam in the 8th round in an exciting battle, although Takam had dominated the early rounds and was ahead on the judges' scorecards when he was knocked out.

Takam vs. Gashi

On 22 December, 2018, Takam fought Senad Gashi. Takam was outlanding Gashi for most of the fight. In the eighth, Takam managed to drop Gashi three times, the third time also being the final one that prompted the referee to wave off the fight.

Takam vs. Lewis, Maldonado, Forrest

Following his victory against Gashi, Takam would go on to record three consecutive ten-round unanimous decision victories. The first came on 14 September 2019 against Craig Lewis in Monticello, New York, with Takam winning via scores of 99–91, 99–91, 96–94. His next fight on 28 February 2020 also took place in the state of New York, this time in Huntington against Fábio Maldonado, which he won by shutout unanimous decision. On 9 July 2020, Takam fought Jerry Forrest. Takam stepped in to fight Forrest on short notice, which was noticeable especially in the later rounds. Takam was able to build up an early lead, however, which was enough to win an all three judges' scorecards, 98–92, 97–93 and 96–94.

Takam vs. Joyce

On 16 June 2021, it was announced that Takam's next fight would be against undefeated Joe Joyce on 24 July at the SSE Arena, London. After a slow start from Joyce on the night, in which Takam landed numerous punches to the head and body of Joyce in the opening rounds, Takam was staggered by his opponent at the start of the sixth round, overwhelmed with a barrage of punches which forced referee Steve Gray to halt the fight. The official result was a sixth-round technical knockout victory for Joyce.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
49LossMartin BakoleTKO4, 2:1528 Oct 2023Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
48Win40–7–1Tony Yoka1011 Mar 2023Accor Arena, Paris, France
47Loss39–7–1Arslanbek MakhmudovUD1016 Sep 2022Montreal Casino, Montreal, CanadaFor WBC-NABF, WBA-NABA, and vacant WBC Silver heavyweight titles
46Loss39–6–1Joe JoyceTKO6 0:4924 Jul 2021The SSE Arena, London, EnglandFor Commonwealth, WBC Silver and WBO International heavyweight titles
45Win39–5–1Jerry ForrestUD109 Jul 2020MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
44Win38–5–1Fábio MaldonadoUD1028 Feb 2020The Paramount, Huntington, New York, U.S.
43Win37–5–1Craig LewisUD1014 Sep 2019Resorts World Catskills, Monticello, New York, U.S.
42Win36–5–1Senad GashiTKO7, 1:4022 Dec 2018The O2 Arena, London, England
41Loss35–5–1Derek ChisoraTKO8, 1:0128 Jul 2018The O2 Arena, London, EnglandFor vacant WBA International heavyweight title
40Loss35–4–1Anthony JoshuaTKO10, 1:3428 Oct 2017Principality Stadium, Cardiff, WalesFor WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
39Win35–3–1Ivica BacurinKO2, 2:1817 Jun 2017Casino de la Vallée, Saint-Vincent, Italy
38Win34–3–1Marcin RekowskiKO4, 0:4229 Jan 2017Cotai Arena, Cotai, MacauWon vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
37Loss33–3–1Joseph ParkerUD1221 May 2016Vodafone Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
36Win33–2–1George AriasUD828 Nov 2015Palazzetto dello Sport le Cupole, Turin, Italy
35Win32–2–1Michael SprottKO5 13 Jun 2015Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
34Win31–2–1Marcelo NascimentoKO4 10 Apr 2015Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, France
33Loss30–2–1Alexander PovetkinKO10, 0:5424 Oct 2014Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, RussiaLost WBC Silver heavyweight title
32Win30–1–1Tony ThompsonUD126 Jun 2014Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, FranceWon vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title
31Draw29–1–1Mike Perez1018 Jan 2014Bell Centre, Montreal, CanadaFor WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
30Win29–1Jakov GospicKO3 20 Dec 2013Hall des Sports Pellière Donatien, Fort-de-France, France
29Win28–1Michael GrantTKO8, 0:5024 May 2013Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, FranceWon WBF heavyweight title
28Win27–1Ivica PerkovićTKO3 14 Dec 2012Gymnase des Roulants, Cergy-Pontoise, France
27Win26–1Tomáš MrázekPTS826 May 2012Les Trois-Îlets, France
26Win25–1Francois BothaTKO11 31 Mar 2012Gymnase Jean-Richepin, Noisy-le-Grand, FranceRetained WBO Africa heavyweight title;
Won vacant WBF International heavyweight title
25Win24–1Samir KurtagićPTS82 Dec 2011Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, France
24Win23–1Gbenga OloukunRTD6, 3:0029 Apr 2011Espace Roger-Boisramé, Pontault-Combault, FranceWon vacant WBO Africa heavyweight title
23Win22–1Levan JomardashviliTKO3 26 Nov 2010Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, France
22Win21–1Pavel DolgovsTKO4 2 Jul 2010Espace Marcel Pagnol, Villiers-le-Bel, France
21Win20–1Humberto ÉvoraKO2 29 May 2010Hall des Sports Pellière Donatien, Fort-de-France, France
20Win19–1Roman KracikKO1 24 Oct 2009La Palestre, Le Cannet, France
19Loss18–1Grégory Tony827 Jun 2009La Palestre, Le Cannet, France
18Win18–0Stéphane TessierPTS610 Apr 2009Salle Yaris, Noisy-le-Grand, France
17Win17–0Humberto ÉvoraKO2 18 Sep 2008Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
16Win16–0Daniel BispoTKO3 5 Jun 2008Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
15Win15–0Norbert SallaiKO1 17 Apr 2008Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
14Win14–0Daniil PeretyatkoTKO5 21 Feb 2008Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France
13Win13–0János SomogyiTKO2 15 Nov 2007Zénith de Dijon, Dijon, France
12Win12–0Cătălin ZmărăndescuTKO2 2 Jun 2007Place de la Nouvelle-Aventure, Lille, France
11Win11–0Ioan MihaiRTD2, 3:0011 May 2007Gymnase Maurice Baquet, Bagnolet, France
10Win10–0János SomogyiTKO2 1 May 2007Sportcomplex Tempelhof, Bruges, Belgium
9Win9–0Ioan Teosorejus2, 3:0024 Feb 2007Cirque de Reims, Reims, France
8Win8–0Leon Nzama-NawezhiPTS42 Dec 2006Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
7Win7–0Roger FoeTKO1 15 Jul 2006La Palestre, Le Cannet, France
6Win6–0Ioan MihaiKO1 1 Jun 2006Salle Vallier, Marseille, France
5Win5–0Harry Duiven Jr.1 1 May 2006Sportcomplex Tempelhof, Bruges, Belgium
4Win4–0Ibrahim CamaraTKO3 14 Apr 2006Parc des Expositions, Reims, France
3Win3–0Valentin Marinel3 25 Mar 2006Gymnase des Yvris, Noisy-le-Grand, France
2Win2–0Thierry GuezouliPTS67 Feb 2006La Soucoupe, Saint-Nazaire, France
1Win1–0Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf610 Dec 2005Chalon-sur-Saône, France