Congolese heavyweight boxer Martin Bakole turned to WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO world champion Alexander Usyk and threatened him with a knockout in their possible future fight. The 31-year-old African said that he is the only boxer who is now capable of defeating the Ukrainian. According to him, Usik and his team know this and are afraid to meet him in the ring. Bakole promised to “knock out” the Ukrainian champion, take away all his belts and hold them for five years. “People who understand boxing know that the only one who will create problems for Usik now, and not only create problems, but knock him out and win a fight against him, is Martin Bakole. I've been talking about this for five years. The only person who confirmed this was Usik’s manager. He said I'm the champion of tomorrow. . Imagine, Usik’s manager says this because he saw me in Ukraine when I sparred with Usik, he saw every sparring I did. Usik himself knows it, and his team knows that I am the only one who can beat him. Once I jump in the ring, I don't care who you are or what you do in boxing.. I'm going out there to rip your head off! They know this and that's why they are afraid. I'm glad that they avoid me and I'm proud of it. I'm coming for you guys! I know people want to see a big fight.. People want to see me, Martin Bakole, in the ring because they know the history of sparring. The boxing world is not that big, people know what happened in the gym. But now people want to see me on TV as I knock out all the guys this year. I will win the world title, win all the belts and hold them for 5-10 years. And I'll finish my career with a belt. I'll smash Usyk, knock him out! Usik, if you are watching this video, I will knock you out, take all the belts and be with them for 5 years! I will knock you out,” Bakole said in an interview with IFL TV. In the professional ring, Bakole had 22 fights, in which he won 21 (16 by knockout). He suffered his only defeat in October 2018 from American Michael Hunter, whom Usik defeated back in 2017 when he competed in the cruiserweight division.. See also: Usik’s ex-trainer reacted to his victory in the rematch with Fury and advised the Ukrainian to retire.

Let us remind you that on the night of December 22, 2024, Usik defeated Tyson Fury in a rematch by unanimous decision (three times 116-112) and defended the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight world titles. Fury did not admit defeat to Usyk, disagreeing with the judge's verdict. The Ukrainian boxer reacted categorically to these words of the “Gypsy King”, declaring that he had won a well-deserved victory. Unlike the first fight, in the rematch between Usik and Fury the title of absolute world champion was not at stake, since Alexander had previously renounced the IBF title. Now it is owned by Briton Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out his compatriot Anthony Joshua. After Usik’s victory over Fury in the rematch, Dubois climbed into the ring and challenged the Ukrainian to a fight. Alexander agreed and asked to organize a fight with Daniel, whom he had previously knocked out in August 2023.