Congolese boxer Bakole challenges Anthony Joshua ahead of bout with Efe Ajagba
By Olaolu Joseph
Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole has launched a fierce verbal attack on Anthony Joshua, vowing to knock him out after facing Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba in their upcoming International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator.
Bakole’s remarks came in response to Joshua’s recent endorsement of Ajagba as the favorite to win the eliminator bout, which will determine the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Daniel Dubois.
In a video posted on his X account, Bakole said, “Hey Anthony Joshua, this video is for you. I wanted to call you out. You’re talking nonsense about Ajagba, saying he’s going to beat me. Shame on you! How many times have I called you out? How many times have I asked you to fight in Africa? You should feel ashamed of yourself. I want to fight you, and I will knock you out.”
Joshua, currently visiting family in Nigeria, had earlier expressed his support for his fellow Nigerian. “Two giants of Africa coming together to collide. It’s going to be an interesting fight,” Joshua said.
“Efe is a good boxer, and obviously, I’m going to support Efe, even though he doesn’t support me. I’m backing him because we’re from the same place, and I really want to see him do well.”
Bakole, referencing Joshua’s recent knockout loss to Dubois at Wembley Stadium, added, “Look at Daniel Dubois. I broke his nose twice during sparring, and he knocked you out cold. I will knock you out in the first round.”
The IBF title eliminator between Bakole and Ajagba, initially scheduled for February, has been postponed and will now take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on a later date.
Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti confirmed the new arrangement for the much-anticipated clash. “It’s agreed,” Moretti said. “In Riyadh. It was supposed to be on the February show, but they moved it, so I anticipate it will be on the next event after February.”
