Martin Bakole finally gets the fight he wants as the opponent confirms a heavyweight bout

Martin Bakole seems ready for a meaningful fight that will advance his career.

The thumping puncher from the Democratic Republic of Congo has long claimed that top heavyweights are avoiding him, and he gave good reasons why that could be the case in his latest destructive outing against rising American star Jared Anderson.

Starring like this on the big stage was one more step towards Bakole and trainer Billy Nelson’s goal of a world title, after years of feeling left out of opportunities because of the risk they posed in the ring .

After the fight, Bakole was keen on a heavyweight match against Zhilei Zhang, but recently said on social media that the Chinese southpaw was “walking away.” Instead, he welcomed an IBF ruling that saw him face 25-0 Agit Kabayel as the final eliminator for a shot at the world title.

“I came to give Zhang his shoes. He runs away. I’m in Congo training hard for big Zhang, but I heard he said no to the fight. Your team protects you and doesn’t want you to get knocked out.

“I am now focusing on Agit Kabayel, so Kabayel be ready. Thank you very much to the IBF for giving me this great opportunity, I look forward to being number one next year.

“Kabayel, you’re going to get it. No one will run away from this. I am the future, next year is my year. Bakole is the next king.”

Kabayel has now shared a post on social media confirming his interest in the fight going ahead. Pending negotiations, the home ground is likely to be on a Riyadh season ticket given the success both have enjoyed in the promotion.

After long periods of inactivity, Kabayel played against the feared Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. He dispatched the big man in four rounds to massively upset the odds. He returned six months later against southpaw Frank Sanchez, another undefeated heavyweight, and scored another stoppage in seven rounds.

Bakole’s victory over Anderson in Los Angeles was preceded by a stoppage of infamous tough Carlos Takam in Saudi Arabia.

The two big men will not compete for mandatory status ahead of IBF world champion Daniel Dubois, who returns in February 2025 and is expected to immediately face Anthony Joshua in a rematch after knocking him out in five rounds in September.