“Shocking Challenge: Number 1 Ranked Heavyweight Calls Out Anthony Joshua for Epic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ Showdown!”

Anthony Joshua. has put on some of the biggest heavyweight shows in the modern era.

The 34-year-old from Watford had big money backing as soon as he turned over to the paid ranks, buoyed by an Olympic Gold Medal and the charisma of a star.

He went 22 fights undefeated, collecting three of the four major heavyweight titles in the process, before being shocked by Andy Ruiz Jr in his American debut. He would win the rematch comfortably on the cards, but come unstuck again two years later to the future undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk. That time around, Joshua couldn’t capitalise on his second crack at the challenge.

Wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou have him back on track, as does an impressive partnership with trainer Ben Davison who seems to have, in the eyes of many, rediscovered a degree of mental fortitude in the heavyweight.

‘AJ’ is now preparing to fight to become a three-time world champion against newly elevated Daniel Dubois. Should he win the fight at Wembley Stadium on September 21, he will target undisputed against the winner of the Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch. Regardless of who he gets, his final years in the sport will be mega events only.

There is, however, another in-form heavyweight waiting in the wings with an intriguing offer. In an interview with TalkSPORT, Congolese-born Martin Bakole called on Joshua – born to Nigerian parents – to face him in Africa à la Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s Rumble in the Jungle.

In Africa I need my president to be involved but, thank god, he is open to it. I will try to ask His Excellency … It would be such a pleasure for me to fight in Africa and be an ambassador in Africa for Riyadh Season. I’ve been calling people out like Joshua because he is originally from Nigeria. My hope is I always want to fight back home in Africa.”

Bakole is indeed in good favour with Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh. The promotion recently staged its first card outside of Saudi Arabia and Martin stole the show, halting the progress of America’s heavyweight hope Jared Anderson with a brutal fight round stoppage.

Bakole is now, if Alalshikh gets his way, in line to face Zhilei Zhang, perhaps in China. Another few performances like his last and he may just get Joshua’s attention and have the chance to prove his previous claims of seriously hurting the Brit in sparring.