Martin Bakole looks set for a meaningful fight that moves his career forward.
The thudding puncher from the Democratic Republic of Congo has long been claiming that top heavyweights are avoiding him, and he gave good reason as to why that might be the case in his latest destructive performance against rising US star Jared Anderson.
Shining on the big stage like that was one more step to Bakole and trainer Billy Nelson’s goal of a world title after years of feeling they were shut out from the opportunities due to the risk they brought to the ring.
Post-fight, Bakole was keen on a heavyweight banger against Zhilei Zhang, but recently took to social media to say that the Chinese southpaw was ‘running away.’ Instead, he welcomed an IBF ruling for him to face 25-0 Agit Kabayel as a final eliminator for a shot at the world title.
“I came to give Zhang his shoes. He is running away. I am in Congo training hard for big Zhang, but I heard he said no to the fight. Your team is protecting you and don’t want you to get knocked out.
“I am focused now on Agit Kabayel, so Kabayel be ready. Big thank you to the IBF for giving me this big opportunity, I am looking forward to being number one next year.
“Kabayel you are going to get it. Nobody will run away from this. I am the future, next year is my year. Bakole is the next king.”
Kabayel has now shared a post on social media confirming his interest in the bout to go ahead. Pending negotiations, its most likely home will be on a Riyadh Season card given the success both have enjoyed with the promotion.
After big bouts of inactivity, Kabayel featured against feared Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. He dispatched of the big man in four rounds to massively upset the odds. He returning against southpaw Frank Sanchez, another unbeaten heavyweight, six months later and scored another stoppage in seven rounds.
Bakole’s win over Anderson in Los Angeles was preceded by a stoppage of notoriously tough Carlos Takam in Saudi.
The two big men will not battle it out to gain mandatory status for IBF World Champion Daniel Dubois, who will return in February 2025 and is expected to be in an immediate rematch with Anthony Joshua after knocking him out in five rounds this September.
