Joshua, who's coming off a fifth-round knockout loss against Daniel Dubois, is looking for the right opponent for his return to the ring. Allen, who has sparred with top fighters like Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, and Joshua himself, shared his thoughts on Joshua's potential next move.
In a recent interview, Allen said:
"I've seen them [Joshua and Bakole] spar. The spars I've seen were good spars, good competitive spars. I don't think it makes sense for Joshua. He's one of the best heavyweights of his generation, why box Martin Bakole?"
Allen's concern stems from his firsthand observations of Bakole's abilities. He described the top-ranked contender as "an animal," suggesting that Bakole poses a significant threat to Joshua at this stage of his career.
Instead of Bakole, Allen proposed other opponents for Joshua. He mentioned Tyson Fury, who's currently retired, and Deontay Wilder, who's been teasing a return to the ring. Allen believes these matchups make more sense for Joshua.
"They make sense, there's a backstory to it, they'd be crazy exciting fights,"Allen explained.
Bakole, meanwhile, has his hands full with an IBF eliminator against Efe Agagba. Despite this, he has often called out Joshua in the past.
Allen's final piece of advice was unequivocal: "I would leave Martin Bakole well alone, if I was anybody to be honest."
As Joshua contemplates his next move, Allen's insights from the gym offer a unique perspective on the potential risks and rewards of different matchups. The boxing world will be watching closely to see which direction the former champion chooses for his comeback fight.