Heavyweight Who Has Sparred Fury, Usyk, Dubois, and Joshua Claims One Fighter is Superior to Them All
Heavyweight Who Has Sparred Fury, Usyk, Dubois, and Joshua Claims One Fighter is Superior to Them All
In the world of heavyweight boxing, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are currently the champions and widely regarded as the division’s elite fighters. Tyson Fury, following a narrow points loss to Usyk in May, is also firmly in the mix, with a chance to avenge that defeat next month. Anthony Joshua, though no longer at the top after a devastating knockout loss to Dubois, remains a significant figure in the heavyweight scene.
One man who has shared the ring with all four of these fighters is British heavyweight Dave Allen. Known as “The Doncaster De La Hoya,” Allen has sparred with Fury, Usyk, Dubois, and Joshua. After a particularly brutal sparring session with Usyk, Allen even retired from the sport for a time due to the impact it had on him.
Though Allen holds each of the top heavyweights in high regard, he has a bold opinion about one fighter: Martin Bakole. The heavyweight believes that Bakole is the best in the division, even better than the reigning champions. Speaking to Boxing Social, Allen explained why Bakole stands out among the rest.
“I think Martin Bakole is the best heavyweight in the world. I believe he beats everyone,” said Allen. “He’s so big, but he’s also incredibly fast. When he puts his shots together, they flow so well. There’s just something about him. I’ve been saying this for a while now. He made Jared Anderson, who’s a huge guy—6’4″, 18 stone—look like a child.”
Allen is confident that Bakole could defeat Usyk, citing the size and power difference. “Bakole would beat Usyk, no doubt about it. He’s just too big and too strong for him. Usyk’s style wouldn’t work against Bakole. The only fighters I see causing him problems are Zhang, because of his size, and Fury and Joshua, because of their experience,” Allen added.
Bakole’s career reached new heights with his dominant victory over the highly regarded American prospect, Jared Anderson. This win boosted Bakole’s rankings with the major boxing organizations and positioned him as a serious contender for a title shot. Despite his success, Bakole and his trainer, Billy Nelson, believe that the only way the current champions will face him is if they are forced into a corner by the sanctioning bodies.
With his power and fearlessness in the ring, Bakole is gaining more attention from fans, analysts, and fellow boxers alike. Many believe he could soon dominate the heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, Dave Allen is set to return to the ring on the Fury-Usyk 2 undercard, where he will face Johnny Fisher.
