Belgian heavyweight Joel Tambwe Djeko (17-2-1) is the new co-challenger for Frenchman Tony Yoka (9-0). Djeko steps in for Croatian Peter Milas, who was set to take on Yoka on February 28 in Nantes.

The EBU has set January 20 as the deadline for purse bids or agreements. Given the financial muscles (271,000 Euro) that Yoka's promoter Ringstar showed in the purse bids for Yoka vs Milas it's likely that Yoka vs Djeko will also end up in Nantes on February 28.

Djeko has fought the bulk of his career as a cruiserweight but did weigh in at about 220-pounds for his last fight which was early 2020 when he knocked out John Cortez in the first. Yoka is ranked # 12 in the EU latest ratings issued by the EBU.

IN OTHER NEWS: Peter Kahn’s Fight Game Advisors has signed 2021 Nicaraguan Olympian Jimmy ‘The Lone Wolf’ Brenes to an exclusive managerial contract. Currently based in Hialeah Gardens, FL, the 22-year-old native of Masaya, Nicaragua will compete in the 152lb. division in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Brenes is trained by Reniel Aponte, father of outstanding Florida based prospect Aaron Aponte and trains out of the KO Fitness Center in Hialeah, FL. “I've seen Jimmy Brenes develop over the last couple of years and if there's one word to describe him it's ferocious.  We’re making Jimmy a pressure fighter that's savagely fierce but with technical and tactical precision.”

Among the accolades Brenes has received as an amateur while compiling a record of 95-15 were Florida Golden Glove Champion, Florida State PAL Champion and Florida Sunshine State Champion. Internationally, he came in fifth place at the 2019 Pan American Games, competed in the AIBA World Boxing Championship in the Men’s Elite Division and was a three-time Nicaraguan National Champion.