Carlos Takam


Armand Carlos Netsing Takam is a Cameroonian-born French professional boxer. He has challenged once for the unified WBA, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in 2017.

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 both French and Cameroonian 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 Kurtagic 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 fought three times in 2015. Defeating Marcelo Luis Nascimento and Michael Sprott by knock out 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’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 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 Dereck 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.

Professional boxing record

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