Anthony Joshua is plotting the final few fights of his career.
‘AJ’ was a long-reigning world heavyweight champion who knocked out his first 20 opponents. After winning a his first belt in 2016, he unified the division with wins against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker in the years following.
The big-punching Brit first came unstuck in the ring with an upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in at Madison Square Garden in 2019 but avenged that in an immediate rematch in December of the same year.
However, he was made beltless again in 2021 when he lost a decision to Oleksandr Usyk and failed to reverse it in the rematch a year later. After four solid wins to get him back in world title contention, Joshua took on Daniel Dubois last September but was stopped inside five rounds and has been out recovering from an elbow injury since.
Joshua has shown an eagerness to carry on and fight the top men of the division, naming the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Martin Bakole and Zhilei Zhang as potential match-ups.
Speaking to iFL TV, top contender Bakole revealed he is still set on the fight for Africa.
“Of course, for Africa. That was not my fight, that was His Excellency asking for that fight for Africa. Joshua’s coming from Nigeria, I’m coming from Congo, we want that fight in Africa. Joshua is still on my list.”
Bakole was then asked if he was confident he would win if were it to happen.
“Of course yeh, I will. For me, I think he’s finished already. I will knock him out, I think so.”
It has also been suggested that Bakole could be lined up for young heavyweight knockout artist Moses Itauma, who stopped another opponent inside the distance this last weekend.
The Congolese born heavyweight’s reputation as the division’s boogeyman has taken a hit recently, after losing to Parker back in February by knockout, albeit as a very late replacement, and drawing with Efe Ajagbe last time out – a fight many felt he could have lost.
Joshua has now had shoulder surgery and faces rehab for around six weeks before he can enter a full training camp. His team is targeting his return for the final few months of the year.
