Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion, has experienced a career filled with monumental highs and unexpected lows. Known for his resilience and powerful punching, Joshua has taken on some of the biggest names in boxing, suffering only one stoppage loss in his 31-fight professional career.
Joshua, hailing from Watford, began his professional journey with a remarkable run, securing 18 consecutive victories without going beyond the seventh round. His first major test came in a unification bout against Wladimir Klitschko, where Joshua was dropped for the first time. Despite this, he fought back fiercely to secure a stoppage victory in the eleventh round.
The most significant setback of his career came in 2019 when Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked the world by stopping Joshua to claim the unified heavyweight titles. Joshua showcased his ability to adapt by outboxing Ruiz in the rematch to regain his titles, only to later lose them to Oleksandr Usyk in two competitive bouts that went the distance.
As Joshua prepares for his upcoming fight against Daniel Dubois on September 21, new claims have surfaced from Martin Bakole, a highly regarded heavyweight sparring partner. In an interview with TalkSPORT, Bakole asserted that he has hurt Joshua in sparring sessions, adding to a list of notable fighters he claims to have bested in the gym.
“Ask anyone about me. Go ask Daniel Dubois about me, ask Joshua about me, ask Usyk about me, ask Tyson Fury about me, they will keep quiet. Nobody will say they gave me a hard time,” Bakole stated. “I gave them all a hard time. I stopped Daniel Dubois twice, stopped Joe Joyce and Joshua oh, that was a big one, he was hurt that day.”
Bakole’s bold statements extend beyond Joshua, as he claims to have stopped Joe Joyce, Oleksandr Usyk, and Daniel Dubois in various sparring sessions. These assertions, if true, highlight Bakole’s potential threat in the heavyweight division and add an intriguing layer to the pre-fight narrative.
Martin Bakole is set to return to the ring on August 3, facing unbeaten rising star Jared Anderson. This bout will be closely watched as Bakole seeks to validate his claims and establish himself as a formidable force in the heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua remains focused on his upcoming clash with Daniel Dubois, recently elevated to IBF World Champion status. Joshua’s preparations will undoubtedly be influenced by the need to address any perceived vulnerabilities and to reaffirm his position as one of the top heavyweights in the sport.
As Anthony Joshua gears up for his next fight, Martin Bakole’s sparring claims have added a new dimension to the heavyweight boxing landscape. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how these developments unfold and whether Joshua can silence his critics by delivering a commanding performance against Dubois. The heavyweight division continues to be a dynamic and unpredictable arena, with each new bout offering the potential for drama and excitement.
