Joshua camp dismisses Bakole fight claims

Anthony Joshua’s camp has denied reports of signing for a potential heavyweight clash with Martin Bakole in Africa, insisting there have been no discussions about the fight.

Speaking to BoxNation, boxing journalist Gareth A Davis revealed that Joshua’s team had not engaged in any conversations regarding the bout, despite claims from Bakole’s promoter, Ben Shalom, that the deal was “done” for a fight in Congo.

“I’m hearing from Anthony Joshua’s side there hasn’t even been a conversation. Maybe this is Bakole and his team trying to speak the fight into reality,” Davis said.

Shalom had earlier claimed; “The promoter of Martin Bakole, that’s what I want to be known as. The number one heavyweight in the world. It’s done. I’m hearing he’s signed and we’re off to the Congo.”

Joshua has been inactive since his fifth-round knockout loss to IBF world champion Daniel Dubois last September. The British-Nigerian boxer had initially targeted a showdown with Tyson Fury this year before the latter announced his retirement at the start of 2025.

Matchroom CEO Frank Smith recently told BetFred that Joshua was expected to return to the ring in the summer, while his promoter Eddie Hearn insists they are exploring various options.

Meanwhile, Bakole, who has scored impressive stoppage victories over Carlos Takam and highly-rated American Jared Anderson in his last two fights, is currently preparing for an IBF eliminator against Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba.

The proposed bout against Joshua would be a significant event in Africa, potentially taking place in the same stadium that hosted the historic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman 51 years ago.

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