Bakole calls out Joshua ahead Ajagba bout

Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole has launched a blistering attack on Anthony Joshua, vowing to knock him out after dealing with Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba in their upcoming International Boxing Federation title eliminator, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 6ft 6ins heavyweight was responding to Joshua’s recent backing of Ajagba to win their eliminator bout, which will determine the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Daniel Dubois.

“Hey Anthony Joshua, this video is for you. I wanted to call you out, you’re talking s*** about Ajagba saying Ajagba is going to beat me,” Bakole said in a video posted on his X account.

“Shame on you, how many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should feel ashamed of yourself. I want to fight you, I want to knock you out.”

Joshua, who is currently visiting family in Nigeria, had earlier backed his fellow Nigerian to triumph.

“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 are from the same place, and I really want to see him do well.”

This support particularly irked Bakole, who referenced Joshua’s recent knockout loss to Dubois at Wembley Stadium.

“Look at Daniel Dubois, I broke his nose twice when sparring and he knocked you out cold. I will knock you out in the first round,” the Congolese fighter added.

“We’re talking about Ajagba, Ajagba is a baby wait until you see how I’m going to knock him out. I invite you to be there, you’re taking s*** I want to fight you. Stop talking nonsense.”

Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs), who demolished American prospect Jared Anderson last August, will face Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) after February following the bout’s removal from the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch card.

Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti confirmed the new arrangement for the highly anticipated clash.

“It’s agreed to,” Moretti said. “In Riyadh. It was supposed to be on the February show but they moved it off, so I anticipate it will be on whatever the next show is after February.”

The IBF currently ranks Bakole third and Ajagba fifth, with the top two spots vacant. Cuban heavyweight Frank Sanchez, who outpointed Ajagba in 2021, occupies the fourth position.