Martin Bakole is emerging as the next potential opponent for world champion Daniel Dubois, according to promoter Ben Shalom. Bakole’s opportunity comes after a series of victories that have solidified him as one of the top contenders. Dubois is set to return to the ring in February, following his impressive knockout victory over Anthony Joshua in September.
The opponent for Daniel Dubois’ next title defense has yet to be confirmed. This uncertainty has positioned Martin Bakole as a strong candidate, as Ben Shalom explained in an interview with Sky Sports News.
“Martin Bakole is ready to face Daniel Dubois next. If they’re looking for an opponent for Daniel in February, Martin is ready to step in,” Shalom commented.
In the IBF rankings, Bakole holds the fourth spot and is one fight away from being ordered as the mandatory challenger.
Last month, it was officially announced that the IBF ordered a final eliminator between Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel.
The negotiation deadline for this fight is November 14, as both parties aim to reach an agreement before that date.
The young promoter and founder of BOXXER, Ben Shalom, praised Bakole’s performance, highlighting his growth in the heavyweight division.
“Martin is the future of the heavyweight division. He’s now closing in on his world title shot. Once he gets it, there’s going to be no stopping him. He beats Daniel Dubois, and then he can unify the division,” Shalom expressed.
On the other hand, the promoter also showed his admiration for Daniel Dubois, acknowledging his quality as a boxer:
“Daniel Dubois is a great fighter. He really impressed me with his performance against Anthony Joshua. I’m not surprised AJ doesn’t want to fight him again next, but Martin Bakole is a different animal. There’s a reason he’s the most avoided man in heavyweight boxing,” Shalom said.
Martin Bakole currently holds a record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, with 16 of his victories coming by knockout. His last fight took place against Jared Anderson on August 3, 2024, in Los Angeles, USA. Bakole defeated Anderson by knockout in the fifth round.
Meanwhile, Dubois has a record of 22 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws, managing to knock out 21 of his 22 opponents. Daniel Dubois’ most recent fight was against Anthony Joshua on September 21, 2024, in London, UK. In this bout, Dubois stunned the boxing world by securing a knockout victory over Joshua in the fifth round.
Now, Bakole’s immediate focus is the fight against Kabayel, which would place him as the mandatory challenger for the IBF title. Shalom emphasized the determination of the Congolese fighter, who is eager to secure his shot at the world title.
“The IBF title is his focus. He’s set to fight Kabayel next for mandatory status. Once he’s won the IBF title, he will be coming for all the belts,” Shalom concluded.
🚨 Martin Bakole is ready to face Daniel Dubois next!
🗣️ @benjshalompic.twitter.com/SDVvDN8SfY
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 8, 2024
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