Is Martin Bakole ready to take on Zhilei Zhang? Turki Alalshikh seems to think so
Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole could be squaring off in the near future as the Saudi impresario looks to China for his next conquest in boxing domination.
If Turki Alalshikh has his way, heavyweight powerhouses Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole could be squaring off in the near future. According to ESPN, Alalshikh is eyeing this matchup as part of his ongoing quest to bring big-time boxing to new, global stages. And this one? He’s thinking China, with Zhang, known as “Big Bang,” facing off against the hard-hitting Bakole.
Zhang’s rise has been a rollercoaster. After his two impressive wins over Joe Joyce, it seemed like he was poised to take on the world. But in March, Joseph Parker managed to outbox the Chinese juggernaut, handing him a setback on points. Zhang didn’t stay down for long, though. He roared back in a massive way, stopping none other than Deontay Wilder, the former WBC champ known for his devastating power. That win sent a clear message: Zhang is still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
On the other side, Martin Bakole has been quietly biding his time, waiting for his moment to step into the spotlight. That moment came earlier this month in Los Angeles, where Bakole took on Jared Anderson. Anderson, an American prospect with a lot of hype, put up a valiant effort, but Bakole’s power was just too much. The Congolese fighter, who now calls Scotland home, made it clear he’s ready for the big leagues. And guess who was watching? Alalshikh, who had a hand in bringing the event to Riyadh Season in America, along with Matchroom and Queensberry.
With champions like Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois already tied up with their own fight schedules, guys like Zhang and Bakole need to stay busy. And what better way to do that than by facing each other? Alalshikh is thinking big, and when he dreams, he dreams global. Africa or China could be the stage for this potential clash, giving both fighters a chance to showcase their talents in front of new audiences.
Bakole, for one, is all in. “I would love to fight big Zhang in December in China,” he told Sky Sports. “I heard His Excellency wanted to make the fight in China so that’s the fight I’m looking for. If that happens, I’ll be so happy.”
Fighting Zhang in his home country? No problem for Bakole. “I’m ready to fight big Zhang in China before his fans,” he continued. “I always fight outside, I went to America and stopped Anderson, I went to Paris and beat Tony Yoka so I would love to go to China and beat Zhang in front of his fans, that’s a fight I’d love and I’m looking forward to it.”
What makes this potential fight even more exciting is that both Zhang and Bakole are known for their knockout power. Between them, they’ve racked up 52 fights with only two losses. These are not fighters who like to leave things to the judges. When they step into the ring, it’s usually lights out for someone.
So, could we see Bakole traveling to China to take on Zhang in front of a roaring hometown crowd? If Alalshikh gets his way, we might just be in for one of the most explosive heavyweight matchups of the year. Fans can only hope that the details get ironed out and these two titans get to do what they do best: throw down.