Carlos Takam

In October 2014 Takam faced Russian Alexander Povetkin (27-1-0, 19KOs) at the Luzhiniki Palace of Sports in Moscow, Russia.

On 6 June 2014 Takam took on Tony Thompson, (39-5-0, 26KOs) 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.

Armand Carlos Netsing Takam (born 6 December 1980) is a Cameroonian French professional boxer.

Takam competed at the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, Takam captured the bronze medal in his weight division.

As an amateur, he represented Cameroon at the 2004 Olympics.

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.

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.

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.

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’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 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 next fought on 31 March 2012, when he faced former world title challenger Frans Botha.

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.

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 (Michael Buffer did not announce who got that card) and 95–95 two times for the majority draw.

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

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.

He has challenged once for the unified WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles in 2017.