Promoter Ben Shalmom states that his fighter, #4 IBF-ranked Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs), is able to be the opponent for IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) to defend towards on February twenty second in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua and his staff have chosen to not take the rematch with Dubois in February, leaving the IBF champion in want of a challenger for his February twenty second protection.
The IBF has ordered Bakole to face #3 Agit Kabayel in a title eliminator to find out a compulsory for Dubois. Nevertheless, Bakole is able to go straight into the Dubois combat because the voluntary challenger if the champion is curious about going through him.
Joseph Parker has been talked about as one of many potential opponents Dubois and his staff are contemplating. He wouldn’t be as fascinating an opponent for Dubois as Bakole, 31, as a result of defending towards Parker would contain plenty of chasing across the ring. Parker has change into a defensive fighter and never enjoyable to combat because of his motion.
“Martin Bakole is able to face Daniel Dubois subsequent. In the event that they’re in search of an opponent for Daniel for February, Martin is able to step in,” mentioned Ben Shalom to Sky Sports activities Information about his fighter, Martin Bakole, who is able to problem Daniel Dubois for his IBF heavyweight title on February twenty second.
Shalom feels that Bakole is able to dethrone Dubois now if given the possibility, as he’s bought all of the bodily weapons on offense to win this combat. Bakole possesses the Foreman-esque explosive energy that may give Dubois issues, and he can take his energy photographs.
He wouldn’t be on the defensive the best way Joshua was on September twenty first at Wembley Stadium. Dubois appeared like a wolf chasing his prey that night time, and he finally caught as much as Joshua to knock him out within the fifth spherical in entrance of 90,000+ followers.
The Congo-born Bakole has gained ten consecutive fights since struggling his lone profession defeat, a Tenth-round knockout loss to Michael Hunter on October thirteenth, 2018. In Bakole’s final combat, he knocked out beforehand unbeaten American heavyweight Jared Anderson within the fifth spherical on August third on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Bakole dropped Anderson as soon as in spherical one and twice extra in spherical 5 to get the knockout.
“He [Bakole] beats Daniel Dubois, after which he can unify the division. I’m not stunned AJ doesn’t wish to combat him once more subsequent – however Martin Bakole is a special animal. He might be too robust and too skillful for Dubois.
Shalom says the plan is for Bakole to defeat IBF champion Dubois after which combat for the undisputed championship towards whoever holds the opposite three belts. At the moment, Oleksandr Usyk holds the opposite three belts.
Bakole’s earlier combat was in Riyadh, the place he knocked out former world title challenger Carlos Takam within the fourth spherical on October 28, 2023.
If Dubois chooses to not face Bakole subsequent, the Congolese fighter will go forward along with his Worldwide Boxing Federation-ordered title eliminator towards #3 Agit Kabayel. The winner of that combat could be the obligatory for Dubois.
Followers on social media consider Bakole is dangerous opponent for Dubois, due to his energy, punch resistance, and expertise. They really feel that Dubois might lose. One poster on X identified that Bakole doesn’t have to “load up on photographs” and he “punches very arduous.” The place Joshua fell aside towards Dubois was within the chin division, and was telegraphing his energy photographs. Bakole doesn’t do this.
Dubois’ promoters might not wish to take a danger like this of matching him towards a fighter like Bakole, as this man has appeared unbeatable in his final two fights. After all, it will look good within the eyes of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh if Dubois have been matched towards Bakole. He likes to see nice matchups.
