Armand Carlos Netsing Takam better known to the boxing public as Carlos Takam is of Cameroonian-French decent and applies his trade in the Heavyweight division.
Born in Douala in Cameroon but now fighting out of France, Takam is 36-Years Old
RECORD: 35-3-1, 27 KOs | DIVISION: HEAVYWEIGHT | HEIGHT: 6’1 | REACH: 80 1/2 | NOTABLE WINS: FRANS BOTHA, MICHAEL GRANT, TONY THOMPSON
AMATEUR BACKGROUND…
A representative of the Cameroon amateur setup, Taken captured a bronze medal at the All-African Games in Abuja, Nigeria, and took a gold medal at the 1st AIBA African 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Gold medal at the games allowed his inclusion at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece but was to be short-lived, losing in the round of sixteen to the eventual silver medallist Egypt’s Mohamed Aly who lost out to Alexander Povetkin in a walk over.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER….
He made his professional debut in France on December 10th 2005, quickly racking up a record of 18-0 before his first blemish, a decision loss to his countryman Gregory Tony.
He won the vacant WBO Africa heavyweight title five fights later by beating Nigeria’s Gbenga Oloukun.
His stoppage win over Frans Botha served to alert the boxing fraternity of his rise, further enhanced when he stopped Michael Grant in 2008.
His HBO debut came against Mike Perez, a Cuban amateur with an extensive background. The fight went the distance with the judges unable to separate them, both having to settle for a split decision draw in a WBC United States heavyweight title contest.
Takam took a decision win over the always tough Tony Thompson in his next outing which remains his biggest win too date, winning the WBC Silver title, it was to be only a temporary crown with a tenth round knockout loss at the hands of the potent Russian Alexander Povetkin.
2015 was more forgiving to Takam, winning all of his three bouts over fringe level opposition in Marcelo Luiz Nascimento, Michael Sprott and George Arias before again coming unstuck this time to the current WBO champion Joseph Parker.
Two knockout victories followed, cementing his standing in the division, allowing him his shot at the divisions best in Anthony Joshua next weekend.
WHY TAKAM?
The fight is able to happen because of a shrewd bit of business from Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn who made a preliminary plan that if anything was to happen to Pulev then Takam was already training away from the public eye as a standby.
He was able to do so because of his No 3 ranking with the IBF.
“When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam’s team to begin camp and be on standby for this fight. When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go.
“It’s a difficult position for AJ having prepared meticulously for the style and height of Pulev, he now faces a completely different style and challenge in Takam – this hasn’t happened in his career before but he is ready for all comers on October 28.”
TOPCLASSBOXING 