Congolese boxer Martin Bakole has publicly criticized former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua for supporting Efe Ajagba ahead of their upcoming IBF title eliminator. Bakole has vowed to knock out both Ajagba and Joshua when the opportunity arises.
Bakole (22-21-1), who secured the WBO International and WBC-NABF heavyweight titles with a devastating fifth-round knockout of Jared Anderson in August, is set to face Ajagba, the current WBC Silver heavyweight titleholder, later this year. The match will serve as an IBF final eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois’ belt.
Bakole was incensed by an interview in which Joshua backed Ajagba to defeat him, giving the Nigerian a shot at Dubois’ title. Joshua, who is currently in Nigeria, shared his thoughts during an interview with The Voice.
“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.”
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Bakole, however, took offense to Joshua’s remarks and issued a fiery response, promising to silence both Ajagba and Joshua in the ring.
“Anthony Joshua, I called you out. I wanted to knock you out,” Bakole said in a video response. “Now you’re talking s***, saying Ajagba is going to beat me. Shame on you. How many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should be ashamed of yourself.
“I want to fight you. I want to knock you out. Look at Daniel Dubois—I broke his nose twice. He knocked you out cold. If you fight me, I’ll knock you out in the first round.
“You’re talking about Ajagba. Ajagba is a baby. Wait till you see how I knock him out. I invite you to be there. You’re talking s***. I want to fight you. Stop talking nonsense.
“Now you’re saying you’re Nigerian? You’re not British anymore? I’ll knock you out. I’m an African giant. I’m an African warrior. After knocking out Ajagba, I will knock you out as well.”
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