The heavyweight division has two world champions once more – Oleksandr Usyk the WBC, WBA and WBO belts, Daniel Dubois the IBF.
After a successful defence against Dubois last year, Usyk moved into the first undisputed heavyweight fight in over two decades, facing and beating Tyson Fury over the distance to become four-belt champion.
Due to a contractual rematch clause, the Ukrainian couldn’t fulfil his IBF mandatory challenge and vacated the belt, allowing Dubois to be elevated. The young Brit made the first defence of his title in style, knocking out Anthony Joshua in five rounds in front of a record-breaking Wembley crowd.
Whilst the pair have plans going forward, there are plenty of in-form contenders waiting in the wings for a shot at the throne, or thrones.
One such man is Martin Bakole, who is thudding at the door with both fists. Currently number one with the WBA and with an ordered shot to fight for the IBF’s mandatory slot, the Congolese heavyweight will, in theory, have his pick of the champions.
When it comes down to it, his trainer Billy Nelson told Boxing Social the result will be the same, and has little doubt due to past sparring sessions.
“Usyk will not fight Martin and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Daniel vacated rather than fight Martin as well. They’ve been in the ring with each other before. Martin will stop Usyk and he’ll obliterate Daniel Dubois.
Martin wasn’t fully fit when he sparred Daniel, about 70% fit, and schooled him. Stopped him, made him quit and broke his nose. It’s fact. Martin’s already told people what happened. I was there. Barry McGuigan was there. I’m not telling lies.
And he’s also stopped Usyk as he’s told you before, albeit I wasn’t there. But why would he come out publicly, live on Sky Sports, and say that he stopped Usyk if he didn’t? Either way, what a fantastic fight that would be. Usyk’s number one in the world for a reason.”
Following a stellar win over rising star Jared Anderson, Bakole has been ordered to face Agit Kabayel, who has upset the odds impressively in his last two bouts against Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez.
Usyk rematches Fury on December 21 and Dubois is currently in talks to have an immediate second fight with Joshua.
