‘Most Avoided Fighter On The Planet’ Backed To Beat Oleksandr Usyk By Mutual Sparring Partner
Oleksandr Usyk stands as an undefeated titan in the world of boxing, having cemented his legacy with a flawless record of 22 professional victories. As a two-weight undisputed champion, Usyk’s achievements are remarkable. Initially dominating the cruiserweight division, Usyk made a historic leap to the heavyweight class, where he mirrored the accomplishments of Evander Holyfield by claiming all the major titles. His impeccable track record has made him a prominent figure in the sport, often regarded as the leading pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
Despite his impressive resume and unblemished record, there are those who believe Usyk might face a serious challenge from another rising star in the heavyweight division: Martin Bakole. Bakole, a formidable fighter from the Democratic Republic of Congo who currently fights out of Scotland, has recently gained significant attention in the boxing world. His latest performance—a fifth-round stoppage of the highly regarded American prospect Jared Anderson—has solidified his status as a serious contender.
British heavyweight Dave Allen, known for his keen insights into the sport, has been vocal about Bakole’s potential. In the wake of Bakole’s victory over Anderson, Allen expressed his belief that Bakole could be the best heavyweight in the world today. Allen’s praise for Bakole is high, citing his impressive combination of size and speed. “Martin Bakole is the best heavyweight in the world,” Allen asserted. “I think he probably beats everybody. I’ve said this for a while. He’s so big, but he’s so fast. When he puts his shots together so well, there’s an aura about him as well. Jared Anderson is huge, standing at 6ft 4in and weighing 18 stone, but Bakole made him look like a child.”
Allen’s admiration for Bakole is not just based on his recent fight but also on their past sparring sessions. Allen reflected on his experiences working with Bakole, noting that despite Bakole’s less-than-ideal physical condition at the time, his punching ability was extraordinary. “He wasn’t that big back then, and he’s put on a lot of size since,” Allen recalled. “To be honest, he looked terrible in terms of his condition, but he’s so relaxed. What I took away from it was that I couldn’t believe a man of his size could put together six or seven punches so effectively. I’ve sparred with Usyk, I’ve sparred with Fury, and none of them can put shots together like that.”
Allen’s enthusiasm for Bakole extends to his belief that Bakole could pose a significant threat to Usyk. “Bakole would beat Usyk,” Allen confidently stated. “I have no doubt in my mind; he’s way too big. He’s all wrong for Usyk. The only fighters I can see giving him trouble are Zhang, because he’s as big as Bakole, Fury, and Joshua.”
Bakole himself has been clear about his future aspirations in the sport. He has expressed a strong desire to take on several high-profile opponents. One of his immediate targets is Zhilei Zhang, a fighter whose size and power make him a potentially formidable matchup for Bakole. Another key goal for Bakole is to avenge his sole career loss, which came against Michael Hunter in 2018. Additionally, Bakole is eyeing the winner of the upcoming bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, which will determine the holder of the IBF world title.
As Bakole continues to rise through the ranks, the boxing world will be watching closely to see how his career unfolds and whether he can indeed challenge Usyk or other top heavyweights for supremacy in the division.
