Despite not currently being in the world title picture, Anthony Joshua still has a target on his back.
After losing his unified belts to Oleksandr Usyk, the popular Brit went on a run of four victories to set up a shot at the IBF strap against new champion Daniel Dubois.
The 27-year-old bullied ‘AJ’, knocking him down three times on the way to a fifth round stoppage victory. Whilst Joshua recovers from niggling injuries and plots his next move, he has been keeping an eye on the heavyweight picture and recently backed Efe Ajagba to beat Martin Bakole in an ordered IBF final eliminator for a mandatory shot at Dubois.
Bakole – who has said he broke Dubois’ nose in sparring in the past and ‘made him quit – took issue with Joshua’s verdict on his upcoming bout, which is not officially announced.
Speaking in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, Bakole ripped into Joshua’s loss and offered him a fight.
“Hey, Anthony Joshua this video is for you. I called [you] out, I wanted to knock you out, and now you’re saying Ajagba is going to beat me. Shame on you. How many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should feel ashamed of yourself.
“I want to fight you. Look at Daniel Dubois – I broke his nose twice [in sparring] and he knocked you out cold. I will knock you out in the first round. You’re talking about Ajagba? Ajagba is a baby, wait till you see how I’m going to knock him out. I invite you to be there. You’re talking s**t. I want to fight you. Stop talking nonsense. Now you’re in Nigeria you’re not British anymore. I’m African giant. After knocking Ajagba out I will knock you out as well.”
😡 for you @anthonyjoshua 👊🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/tRXfkDfI0E
— Martin Bakole (@MartinBakole01) January 6, 2025
Bakole is coming off the back of a statement victory over rising star Jared Anderson last year. Whilst Joshua has expressed interest in a fight in Africa against him in the past, he is much more likely to focus on finally facing Tyson Fury after he was also beaten twice by Usyk.
