Anthony Joshua and his team are in the middle of plotting his ring return.
Joshua has been out of action for more than 12 months now. His last contest came in September last year and saw him stopped by then-IBF champion Daniel Dubois inside five rounds.
The former two-time unified champion has been recovering from an elbow injury since then, but has vowed to have one last tilt at the top. Joshua is 36 this month, and his current record sits at 28 wins from 32 fights.
Speaking to iFL TV, trainer Billy Nelson was told his fighter Martin Bakole was on the shortlist for Joshua’s return, after it was previously claimed that he got the better of AJ in sparring.
“It’s news to me, and I’m his manager, so if they want that fight, pick up the phone, let’s negotiate, let’s get it done. We’ve always said we’ll get it done. It’s a great fight for Africa. It’s the only fight he can really take if he’s going to Africa.
“Let’s get the best African fighter that’s out there. I do believe Martin does a number on AJ. I just think this is the time to beat him now and I believe Martin Bakole is the man to beat him. They know Martin Bakole will give him a hard, hard fight.”
For a while, Bakole was viewed as the most avoided heavyweight on the planet but Joseph Parker put an end to that when he stopped him inside two rounds back in February, albeit after Bakole was called in a short notice late in the day to replace Dubois, who was ill.
Since then, Bakole has also fought to an underwhelming draw against Efe Ajagba.
