Bob Arum, the head of the Top Rank, is very close to signing 2016 Olympic gold medal winner, Tony Yoka of France, to a promotional agreement.
Arum is currently in Paris and told RMC Sport that he's nearing an agreement to bring Yoka on board with his company.
Yoka (7-0, 6 KOs), who beat Joe Joyce in the Olympic games to claim gold, turned pro in 2017 and signed on with Richard Schaefer's Ringstar Sports. All of Yoka's fights have taken place in France.
Because he's already 27-years-old, the talented heavyweight has been fast-tracked, with wins over fighters like Dave Allen, Alexander Dimitrenko and Michael Wallisch.
BoxingScene.com reported last year that Yoka had signed a managerial deal with James Prince, who works very closely with Top Rank. Several of Prince's boxers, like Shakur Stevenson and Joshua Greer, are promoted by Top Rank. Prince also works with heavyweight Jarrell Miller, who is also close to a deal with Top Rank.
"We are here to speak to our good friend Tony Yoka. His manager, who we know very well and who works with us, James Prince, has just signed Yoka. He would like us to take care of promoting Tony to bring him to a world championship," said Arum.
No contract has finalized, but their discussions are very positive.
When asked if the negotiations were likely to lead to a successful outcome, Arum replied: "I think so. All of the parties are in agreement even if nothing has been signed. The reason we are here is to discuss the terms of the contract.
"They are great people. Tony is an incredible young man, very intelligent and we hope to see him fighting in the United States in the spring under the banner of Top Rank."
Arum's star heavyweight, Tyson Fury, will challenger Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title on February 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.