BAKOLE: UNHERALDED DANGERMAN

Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, the unbeaten American hyped heavyweight, was bludgeoned into the real world last Saturday by Martin Bakole via a brutal fifth round knockout. The victorious 32 year old Congolese monster, based for years in Scotland, proved once again that he should be considered an absolute menace in boxing’s Hollywood weight category.

To most, even devout fans in the UK, Bakole is known for his tenth round stoppage exit to Micheal Hunter. Hunter also hovers anonymously around the heavyweight top ten, but in retrospect the accomplished cruiserweight whose only loss was to Oleksander Usyk for the WBO World Title at that lighter weight only adds credence to Bakole’s resume.

Bakole suffered an injury in the Hunter contest, but excuses aside was static and fought like a man who thought he’d win purely by way of sheer physicality. He was sluggish though dogged, and looking for one big shot. Countered by the classy, accurate Hunter, he eventually wilted. That loss sent his status further underground.

Unbeaten since the 2018 Hunter fight, with eight of ten victories early including an as close to a robbery one can get while winning (MD Tony Yoka), Martin Bakole is not glamorous, but he is a world level threat.

In the United (hah) KIngdom, Joe Joyce was long lauded as the heavyweight division’s sleeping giant. Joyce was indestructible, concussive and possessed the charm and conviction of a confused schoolboy who woke up six feet eight inches tall. Joyce is still delightfully polite, but his immovable aura has been shattered, nobody past his handlers considers him world level after his loss to Derek Chisora.

The heavyweight division’s elite are no longer untouchable (Usyk aside, perhaps), but more telling is the dearth between the top table and the others looking to join them. Wilder, Zhang, Hrgovic, Whyte, Wallin… Nganou if you want. None of these scary guys have that aura anymore to an elite bruiser. Daniel Dubois aside, for now, who is left to challenge the top?

WBO Interim champion, and Zhang victor, Joseph Parker would be an excellent test for Martin Bakole, he’d ask questions louder and more painfully than any other fighters in and around the world elite. Parker is almost all wrong for Bakole though which begs the rhetorical question - why bother?

Boxing is risk versus reward, Parker is currently very high risk, relatively low reward. Bakole should consider himself to be, rightfully, in with a shot of a major belt, not fight to be one step away from one.

Martin Bakole is unlikely to ever be the unified world heavyweight champion, but he’s certainly able to batter his way into the top four. With so many stars dimming, the likable and quiet giant is due a huge evening at the very least. More action and clever matching are key; there's only so long he can be the underdog.

The Joe Joyce comparisons are obvious yet fleeting, Bakole is six years younger and seems to have actually learned from his exposed shortcomings. Clumsy footwork is made up for by perfect timing and intelligent pressure, married with the power which punched Big Baby Anderson back into the womb. He’s an immovable force, exciting to watch but without the fanfare he deserves.

Bakole is almost in the who needs him club, but he’s one of the most exciting and fearless fighters in the division. Recognition is what will force the top table to take notice. Bakole is nothing but danger, boxing fans need to see more of him.