Anthony Joshua has a target on his back once more having got himself back into contention for world titles.

For many years, Joshua was the poster boy of British boxing and one of the biggest draws in the sport. His progression from Olympic champion to world honours was fast and he then went on to become unified at an exciting time in the banner division.

What was meant to be his grand arrival into the US market however was scuppered by Andy Ruiz Jr who sensationally stopped ‘AJ’ in Madison Square Garden in 2019. Though the Brit successfully won back his titles and had a few more defences, he was then dethroned by the now undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and suffered the same fate in the rematch.

After putting together four wins, three of which have been back-to-back knockouts over Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, it is now thought that Joshua will fight for a world title later in the year. The man in the opposite corner could be Daniel Dubois who became IBF interim champion after he defeated Flip Hrgovic on June 1.

Speaking to iFL TV, a former sparring partner of both, Martin Bakole, was asked how those sessions went.

“I smashed them. I destroyed them in the gym. That’s the reason why they don’t want to fight me.”

He then gave his view of the potential fight between the two.

“That’s a good fight, a 50-50 for me, they don’t have a boxing brain but they are strong and can box but no boxing brain like Martin Bakole. Good luck to both but I would smash them.”

Bakole – whose trainer and promoter believe is the ‘most avoided man’ in the division and has the beating of all the rest – faces young American knockout artist Jared Anderson on August 3, in what many are predicting will be the toughest test of Bakole’s career so far.

Joshua and Dubois could clash for the vacant IBF title if reigning champion Usyk is stripped of his belt for not fulfilling mandatory duties.