Anthony Joshua is to have one last shot at becoming a three-time world champion.
The British boxing star hasn’t held a title since 2021 when he lost three belts to Oleksandr Usyk, and then failed to win them back in the rematch a year later. He attempted to regain one of them in September last year when he fought IBF champion Daniel Dubois but was knocked out inside five rounds.
Right now, he is plotting his way back having not fought since, and Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole is a name that has been mentioned often.
READ: Eddie Hearn reveals frontrunner to face Anthony Joshua next and discusses retirement
Speaking to iFL TV, his trainer Billy Nelson claimed they are ready to go but thinks it’s too much of a threat for ‘AJ’ to take it.
“Eddie [Hearn] probably doesn’t want it if the truth be told cause it’s a career-ending fight when Martin Bakole beats him.”
It was put to him that Hearn said Bakole, who stopped highly rated US contender Jared Anderson last time out, is not the second coming of George Foreman.
“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.
“[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. He’ll get an easy fight, get a win and then I think he’ll fight Martin Bakole, ’cause it’s the biggest fight out there.”
Nelson then laid out a tentative plan, with his man winning his May IBF eliminator against Efe Ajagba for the mandatory slot for Dubois. He says that Joshua can have a shot at taking that position from Bakole.
“Everybody on our team wants the fight, ‘AJ’ wants the fight, Turki Alalshikh most importantly wants the fight. So let’s get the fight made after Anthony has his warm up fight, his confidence-boosting fight. We beat Efe Ajagba for the final eliminator then we’ll take Anthony Joshua for an interim fight before we fight for the world title. No problem.”
‘AJ’ has previously said that he would be interested in having the fight in Africa, and Hearn has said, should the be unable to land the Dubois fight or a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury, Bakole is in the running.
The Brit is currently ranked seventh with the IBF and, while beating Bakole would not necessarily mean he would be called as mandatory immediately, it makes his case for a ‘DDD’ rematch undeniable.
Meanwhile, Dubois has a test of his own on his hands when he defends his belt against Joseph Parker this weekend. The winner will look to face Usyk in an undisputed contest.
