Martin Bakole has put the heavyweight boxing world on notice. The Congolese fighter just scored the best win of his career, stopping the previously undefeated Jared Anderson in the fifth round.
Bakole dominated the fight from the opening bell. He floored Anderson three times before the referee called a halt to the action. This victory has catapulted Bakole into the conversation of top heavyweight contenders.
ESPN reported that Bakole's performance against Anderson was nothing short of impressive. The win has many in the boxing world talking about Bakole's potential to challenge the division's elite.
Bakole's trainer, Billy Nelson, has made a bold claim about his fighter's abilities. In an interview with YouTube channel iFL TV, Nelson said:
"He stopped Usyk in sparring, so why would he not think he could beat him. It's fact, it's fact. I mean have you ever heard Usyk saying it never happened?"
This statement has raised eyebrows in the boxing community. Oleksandr Usyk is currently considered the top heavyweight in the world, and the idea of him being stopped in sparring is significant news.
Bakole has sparred with several top heavyweights, including Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Reports suggest he's held his own each time, adding credibility to his rising status in the division.
Dave Allen, a popular British heavyweight, has gone even further in his praise of Bakole. Speaking to a YouTube channel, Allen said:
"Martin Bakole is the best heavyweight in the world. He probably beats everybody. He's so big, but so fast. He puts shots together well and has an aura about him."
Allen pointed to Bakole's performance against Anderson as evidence of his skill. He noted that despite Anderson being a formidable opponent at 6'4" and 18 stone, "Bakole made him look like a baby, look like a child."
When it comes to a potential matchup with Usyk, Allen believes Bakole has the edge. He said Bakole would be "way too big" and "all wrong for Usyk." However, Allen acknowledged that fighters like Zhilei Zhang, who matches Bakole's size, could pose a challenge.
Riyadh Season's Turki Alalshikh is trying to arrange a fight between Bakole and Zhang, describing it as a potential "blood fight." Meanwhile, Usyk is set for a rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21.
As Bakole continues to impress, the heavyweight division looks more exciting than ever. Whether he can live up to the hype and challenge the likes of Usyk remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure – Martin Bakole has arrived on the big stage.
