Oleksandr Usyk has cemented himself as the best heavyweight of a generation.
The Ukrainian entered the division after an undisputed run at cruiserweight, his debut being a warm-up against Chazz Witherspoon. He then went into a fight against Derek Chisora who, in that form, would give ant heavyweight an uncomfortable night. The Ukrainian won via unanimous decision.
Usyk would go on to beat Anthony Joshua over the distance twice in a row, winning and retaining the unified world titles, before stopping Daniel Dubois in his second defence. An undisputed contest with Tyson Fury follower, with ‘The Gypsy King’ becoming the second Brit Usyk would do the double over.
Though he has confirmed he will fight on, he is fast approaching the final pages of his fighting story. Dubois has picked up the vacant IBF belt, so is seen as many as the future of the division, but it is one Martin Bakole that Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk believes will rule the roost.
Krassyuk told TalkSPORT that the Congolese heavyweight fighting out of Scotland is ‘the next champion.’
“He’s the next champion. For sure. Martin Bakole is one of the strongest heavyweights at this stage now … One thing he’s lacking is the discipline. As soon as discipline comes into his training camp, this guy is the future of heavyweight.”
Bakole is edging ever closer to his title shot, with a final eliminator against Nigeria’s Efe Ajagbe set for May to determine Dubois’ next mandatory challenger.
Though he may lack a large number of high profile bouts, Bakole’s statement win over Jared Anderson last time out – as well as his controversial tales from sparring about stopping both Usyk and Dubois – have built him quite the profile.
Of course, Dubois first puts his title on the line against Joseph Parker on February 22, who could upset the apple cart once more and be the man who is facing the winner of Bakole vs Ajagba, or even going for undisputed against Usyk.
