Sparring in the gym is very different from fighting in the ring, but one heavyweight thinks his performance behind closed doors was enough for rival Daniel Dubois to steer well clear of him in future.
During camp, a fighter can be at various stages of fitness and preparation for a big fight. Sparring is often about working on timing and technique and not always about winning every round.
They can also spar at any time and in various states of fatigue, which is why sessions can’t always be read into in the same way that you can come fight night.
However speaking to iFL TV about a potential fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, Martin Bakole thinks he put such a dent in both men that they will never step into the squared circle with him for real.
“Not sparred them, I smashed them, I battered them in the gym, that’s the reason they don’t want to fight me, but that would be a good fight. 50-50 for me. They don’t have a boxing brain. They are strong, they can box, but they don’t have a boxing brain like Martin Bakole. Good luck to both if the fight is on but I would smash them.”
Dubois is riding his off of victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. Ironically, the latter was confident he would win the fight with ease due to a past sparring session with the Brit – something the Brit used as fuel to get the victory by stoppage due to inflicting severe cuts.
Bakole is currently number one contender with the WBA, his last outing being a knockout win against Carlos Takam. Joshua and Dubois are just two of the people he claims to have dominated in the gym, another notable example being undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
He has a tough fight on his hands later in the summer on August 3 when he takes on much hyped and unbeaten American knockout artist Jared Anderson. Given the records of both men, fireworks are guaranteed.
Joshua and Dubois is expected to be announced this week.
