Anthony Joshua has a chance to get back in the world heavyweight title picture, but his potential path comes with a warning. The former champion lost his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and failed to win them back in a rematch the following year.
Joshua's last shot at a title ended badly. Daniel Dubois knocked him out in five rounds back in September 2022. Since then, Joshua hasn't stepped in the ring and is planning his comeback.
Martin Bakole, a Congolese fighter who recently beat highly rated US contender Jared Anderson, could be Joshua's ticket back to the top. Bakole's trainer, Billy Nelson, talked to iFL TV about a possible fight between the two.
"Eddie [Hearn] probably doesn't want it if the truth be told cause it's a career-ending fight when Martin Bakole beats him."
Nelson thinks Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, isn't keen on the match-up. But the fight might happen anyway. Joshua wants it, Bakole's team wants it, and Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh wants it too.
The proposed plan starts with Joshua taking a warm-up fight in March or April. Then, if Bakole wins his IBF eliminator against Efe Ajagba in May, he could face Joshua later in the year.
The winner of Bakole vs Ajagba will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt. This weekend, Daniel Dubois defends that title against Joseph Parker. The winner will likely face Usyk in an undisputed contest.
Nelson isn't impressed by Hearn's dismissal of Bakole as a serious threat.
"Of course, he's not the second coming, but what he will be, he'll be the second man to stop Anthony Joshua if Anthony Joshua doesn't have a fight in the interim."
The trainer also thinks another potential opponent for Joshua, Deontay Wilder, isn't a threat anymore.
"[Joshua] will have a warm-up fight probably March or April against whoever. [Deontay] Wilder is easy meat now. He's finished, gun-shy, doesn't carry a punch any more."
Joshua's main goal is to become a three-time world champion. Beating Bakole would strengthen his case for a rematch with Dubois. But it's a risky move that could end his career if it goes wrong.
Hearn prefers other options for Joshua, like a rematch with Dubois or a fight against Tyson Fury. The Bakole fight seems to be a backup plan. Joshua has also mentioned wanting to fight in Africa, which could be an option for this bout.
Right now, Joshua is ranked seventh with the IBF. He'll need to make smart choices to climb back to the top of the heavyweight division.
