Two heavyweight boogeymen seem set to collide in the coming months as Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole continue to be linked to a heavyweight showdown that is sure to thrust the victor into world title contention. Yet, despite recent reports that the clash will take place in Saudi Arabia, it seems as though two of the sport’s largest contenders could meet in a surprise location.
Zhang emerged as a threat to the champions when he twice cracked the formidable chin of Joe Joyce in 2023, seeming to put an end to hopes of what once seemed like a legitimate title charge for ‘The Juggernaut’. However, a shock defeat to Joseph Parker earlier this year saw the Chinese veteran lose the WBO interim title that he had snatched from the Briton and thus forgo his position as mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s strap.
Although, a stoppage victory over Deontay Wilder back in June has not only got Zhang back into the winning column, but also back into the world title picture.
Meanwhile, Martin Bakole’s well-documented sparring stories have often been overlooked or even mocked in recent years, but the Congolese contender finally got his chance on the big stage when he travelled stateside earlier this month.
In Los Angeles, Bakole was able to spring a major upset and half the undefeated record of highly-rated American prospect Jared Anderson, dominating from the sound of the opening bell and getting the fifth-round knockout win after dropping the ‘The Real Big Baby’ on three occasions prior.
During the aftermath of the beatdown, Bakole and his team have been vocal in their ambition to challenge for world titles and his trainer, Billy Nelson, has revealed his belief that such an opportunity is in touching distance and will likely follow a possible victory over Zhang.
Subsequently, the pair were expected to go toe-to-toe on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21st in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Now, to the surprise of many, it appears as though those rumours were wide of the mark and that Saudi kingpin and newfound boxing catalyst Turki Al-Alshikh has plans for the giants to meet elsewhere, but it won’t be atop a beanstalk, no matter how appropriate it would seem for men of their stature, ESPN reports.
“Al-Alshikh said he is exploring a heavyweight battle between Martin Bakole and Zhilei Zhang that could take place later this year in Africa or China, where the fighters hail from, respectively.
“Who else is giving Bakole the opportunity?” Alalshikh said. “This is his second fight with us in 10 months.”
This is not the first time that Al-Alshikh has suggested that major boxing events return to Africa, following whispers that Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder could headline a card in the continent in the past. 50 years on since Muhammad Ali famously knocked out George Foreman in ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ in Zaire – there would be no better time to stage something similar.
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