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On Saturday, September 21, 2004, at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) was brutally knocked out by Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) who delivered a career-best performance to put the heavyweight division on notice. The win for Dubois ensured he retained his IBF title he inherited following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate. Following that Wembley Stadium bout, many have speculated about Joshua’s future and Ben Shalom has spoken to The Stomping Ground about a potential Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) vs Joshua fight in the Congo.
Ben Shalom: Eddie Hearn Doesn’t Want Anthony Joshua vs Martin Bakole
Ben Shalom Claims Hearn’s Reluctant to Make Joshua vs Bakole
Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Shalom first explained he was joking about a previous rumour that the Bakole-Joshua fight had been agreed for the Congo. He then addressed the fight rumours directly, saying: “It is a fight that we want. It is a fight I believe that everyone wants. I think Anthony Joshua wants it. I think Martin Bakole wants it. I think His Excellency wants it, I want it. The teams want it. Eddie doesn’t want it.”
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When asked if he believes Eddie doesn’t want Joshua vs Bakole. “He told me enough times for fights that I apparently don’t want. There’s no way Eddie Hearn wants Martin Bakole against Anthony Joshua.”
Shalom added: “It’s an amazing fight and a historic fight and it should happen.”
Eddie Hearn Weighs In
Hearn recently sat down with The Ring Magazine and spoke about the possibility of AJ vs Bakole: “If it was done right and if the money was there. Honestly, Joshua would fight anyone,” said Hearn.
He added: “He’s more than happy to fight Bakole. He’s more than happy to fight Wilder. He’s more than happy to rematch Dubois. He’s more than happy to fight Tyson Fury.“
“The problem with Martin Bakole is, commercially he brings nothing to the table. But if he’s a dance partner in a massive event in Africa, obviously he’s from the Congo, I get it, and (if) there’s big money in the fight, no problem.”
He added: “What we’re not gonna do is go and have a big tough fight for small money. Bakole is a good fighter. It’s not an easy fight. It’s not a warm-up fight, it’s not a treading water fight, it’s a real fight.”
A Bakole vs AJ fight in the Congo would undoubtedly draw massive attention, marking a major boxing event in Africa. The bout would feature two heavy-hitting fighters, promising fireworks for boxing fans.
