Boxing
'Frustrating!' - Heavyweight contender approaches next steps after winless 2025 campaign
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Martin Bakole is edging closer to his next bout, with promoter Ben Shalom admitting that it is "frustrating" for the star to be left to kick his heavyweight heels.
The Congolese fighter suffered a winless 2025 across two bouts, losing as a late replacement to Joseph Parker in February before drawing with Efe Ajagba.
It has slowed momentum for the star who many tipped to push towards the upper bracket of a stacked division, with eight months of inactivity under his belt.
BOXXER supremo Shalom is hopeful there will be news for his star soon, revealing he came close to fighting Moses Itauma in place of Dillian Whyte last August.
"We are still working with Martin Bakole," he told The Ring. "He’s got him and [trainer] Billy Nelson there and they will decide on what’s next for him.
"It has been frustrating for us. [After] Parker and Efe Ajagba, we were offered Filip Hrgovic in August and had the opportunity to fight Moses Itauma.
"Martin will fight anyone but people around him have to accept the fights. It’s frustrating because I believe he has the talent to be the best heavyweight in the world.
"I think he can beat anyone on his day with a proper camp and being fit. That’s why it’s frustrating in that sense. Hopefully we can give news on Martin very soon.”
Bakole headed for make-or-break year
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
After a 2024 that saw him move firmly into the pecking order for top-tier heavyweight contenders, it all fell apart to an extent for Martin Bakole last year.
The star was brave in plugging the gap left by Daniel Dubois at short notice against Joseph Parker, but the former world champion made short work of him.
Then he was held to a draw by Efe Ajagba, in the sort of contest he needed to win in order to get himself back on the horse for more serious foes down the line.
The revelation that Bakole could have tangled with Moses Itauma is a fascinating one - though given the younger man's raw power, it would have been a risk too.
Now, he enters 2026 knowing that a third straight bout without victory - especially against a softer rival - could spell the end of his ambitions to reach the summit.
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