AFCON 2025
In a recent escalation within the heavyweight boxing scene, Martin Bakole has issued a direct challenge to Anthony Joshua, expressing his desire for a bout and criticizing Joshua’s support for Efe Ajagba.
This development follows Bakole’s reaction to Joshua’s prediction favoring Ajagba in an upcoming fight. Bakole, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, took to social media to voice his frustration and challenge Joshua.
In a video message, he stated: “Hey, Anthony Joshua, this is for you. I called you out, I wanted to knock you out, and now you say Ajagba will beat me? Shame on you. How many times have I called you out? How many times have I asked you to fight in Africa? You should be ashamed of yourself.”
He further asserted his confidence by referencing past sparring sessions, claiming, “I want to fight you. Look at Dubois – I broke his nose twice [in sparring], and he knocked you out. I’ll knock you out in the first round. You talk about Ajagba? Ajagba is a kid, just wait until you see me knock him out.”
This challenge comes amid Bakole’s preparations for an IBF final eliminator bout against Efe Ajagba, with the winner set to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title currently held by Daniel Dubois.
Anthony Joshua, currently in Nigeria, has not publicly responded to Bakole’s challenge. His recent comments supporting Ajagba were influenced by their shared Nigerian heritage, despite Ajagba’s previous lack of support for Joshua.
The boxing community is now abuzz with speculation about a potential Joshua-Bakole matchup, which would add a new chapter to the heavyweight division’s dynamic landscape.
