There's growing buzz about a potential heavyweight clash in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, this October between Martin Bakole and Anthony Joshua. The fight would take place at the legendary site of the "Rumble in the Jungle", and although the bout wouldn't align exactly with the 50th anniversary of Ali’s win, it would mark the 51st anniversary.
Bakole’s camp has been vocal about his ambitions, with his trainer Billy Nelson telling UK Boxing News that this matchup would be “an absolutely phenomenal fight for the continent of Africa.” His promoter, Ben Shalom, has even gone as far as stating on Talk Sport that the fight is “done.”
Bakole has been calling for this bout for some time, passionately claiming he can “knock Joshua out cold” when given the opportunity. While the fight may not be contested for a title, its magnitude in terms of generating headlines and financial interest cannot be understated. The choice of Kinshasa as the venue only adds to the allure, linking the modern heavyweight era to one of the sport's most storied pasts.
Looking ahead, if Bakole triumphs over Ajagba and earns a shot at the IBF belt, currently held by Daniel Dubois, the logic behind a fight with Joshua becomes even more compelling. Despite this potential alternative route, Shalom’s assertion that the Bakole-Joshua fight is already set keeps the focus squarely on this potential encounter.
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Image Credit: Sky Sports