Anthony Joshua had a busy night in London for the 2024 Ring Awards.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion came face to face with Daniel Dubois for the first time since being knocked out by his British compatriot in September.
AJ spent most of his night talking about a possible clash with Tyson Fury, who remains one of the biggest in boxing despite the fact that they both appear to be past their prime.
If that fight doesn't happen, Anthony Joshua could be boxing the dark horse of the heavyweight division.
Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images
Anthony Joshua takes on Martin Bakole
Martin Bakole is a 6-foot-2 KO artist from Congo who has amassed a 22-1 record while quietly climbing the heavyweight ranks.
The 31-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough performance as he dropped American prospect Jared Anderson three times en route to a shock fifth-round knockout victory in August 2024.
Since then he has been trying to secure a big-name opponent. Bakole is currently booked against 20-1 contender Efe Ajagba in a fight expected to take place in March and act as an eliminator for the IBF heavyweight title.
Joshua was recently asked to give his opinion on the upcoming Bakole vs. Ajagba fight.
Naturally, AJ supported his compatriot Ajagba, but that did not go down well with Bakole.
“Anthony Joshua, this video is for you. I want to knock you out and now you are talking damn that Ajagba is going to beat me,” Bakole complained in a social media post.
“Shame on you. How many times have I called you? How many times have I asked you to fight in Africa? Aren't you ashamed of yourself? I want to fight you, and I want to knock you out.
“Look at Daniel Dubois, he broke his nose twice and he knocked you out – what happened to me? I'll knock you out in the first round.
“You're talking about Ajagba, but Ajagba is a baby, just wait and see how I'm going to knock him out. I invite you to be there – you are talking nonsense, I want to fight you, stop talking nonsense.
“Now you say you are Nigerian, you are not British anymore, I will knock you out – I am the African champion, I am an African warrior and I will knock you out… After I knock out Ajagba , I will I will knock you out too.'
Just a few days after Bakole's outburst, he ran into Joshua at the swanky awards ceremony in London.
The heavyweights faced off for their potential grudge match, but all seemed calm as Bakole grinned like a Cheshire cat and Joshua did everything he could to keep a straight face.
Joe Rogan is a big fan of Martin Bakole
UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently discussed Dana White's transition to boxing during a “Fight Companion” episode of his popular podcast, but the 57-year-old was quickly distracted by his new favorite fighter, Martin Bakole.
He said: “The Saudis are just saying, 'I want to see this fight. What will it cost?'
“When Martin Bakole fought Jared Anderson, Jared Anderson's people said, 'Don't take that fight.' Martin Bakole is the most dangerous fighter in the heavyweight division that no one knows about. Martin Bakole is terrifying as hell.”
Rogan's producer brought up highlights from Bakole's big win over Anderson as the UFC icon continued to talk about him as a potential world champion.
He added: “This is Martin Bakole, he is the most feared heavyweight. He's fucking huge, and Jared Anderson was undefeated. He looked like the American prospect and Bakole just put it to him. And he's really hard to hit too, man.
“[Anderson] just took this fight too early and Bakole is just huge. Bakole weighs approximately 266 pounds. He is the next wave. He can do it right now, he's ruining those guys in sparring. The stories about this man in sparring, everyone he brings in, gives them a world of hell.
“I'm telling you, man, no one knows who this guy is. Martin Bakole, he's the fucking future. That's the future, he'll knock everyone out [and] he has an iron chin.'
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