Two banned heavyweights headline Matchroom show one week after Fury-Joshua fight

Jarrell Miller vs Tony Yoka confirmed

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.

The main event will feature two banned boxers. In July 2018, the French Anti-Doping Agency banned Yoka for one year because of missing three drug tests between July 2016 and July 2017. Prior to his June 2019 scheduled fight with Anthony Joshua, the disgraced Miller tested positive for GW501516, EPO and HGH, and subsequently banned for six months.

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.

Miller vs Yoka: The Battle of the Banned

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.”

Further announcements regarding the undercard and ticket information will be made soon at matchroomboxing.com