Martin Bakole has had some of the most elite sparring a heavyweight can ask for.
Whether that’s former undisputed cruiserweight king turned three-belt heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, or undefeated phenomenon, Tyson Fury, the 30-year-old is a favourite to have in camp.
He has also benefitted from working with Joe Joyce’s famous engine up close, and has felt the power of young Daniel Dubois – a man many still give a chance to be a future world champion.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Bakole said one stands out from the rest – and it may not be a surprise as to who.
“Very good sparring. The best sparring. I always say that sparring Tyson Fury is the best sparring I always have. It makes you think, it makes you work hard like a fight. If you watch that sparring, it’s like a fight.
That’s why we don’t allow anybody in the gym, because you need to pay to watch that. A good fight and good learning as well – for both of us.”
Bakole and sparring stories go hand-in-hand. The Congolese heavyweight fighting out of Scotland made headlines recently for claiming to have stopped both Dubois and unified champion, Usyk, in the gym.
It was denied by both accused parties, but Bakole and his team remain adamant.
He has said no such thing about Fury, who will use the sparring as preparation for his fight with Francis Ngannou this weekend.
Following that, the Brit will begin camp for an undisputed fight with Usyk – one he may get Bakole to stick around for if he believes in the fabled success against the Ukrainian.
Bakole fights on the Fury-Ngannou undercard, taking on Cameroonian-born Frenchman, Carlos Takam. Both hold a win over Tony Yoka in recent times, but Takam enters the ring an underdog given his advancing years and toll-taking record.