Martin Bakole slammed Joshua: “You should be ashamed!”

Heavyweight contender Martin Bakole called out Anthony Joshua on X, telling him he wanted to knock him out and taking offense that AJ predicted Efe Ayagba to beat him.

Joshua’s priorities in 2025

Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) has a full stop ahead of him in 2025 and is expected to fight Tyson Fury twice this year. If AJ gets through those two fights with wins, he might be interested in fighting Bakole if he has the title.

Besides, it’s unlikely that he and his promoter Eddie Hearn would want to take on the risky fight against Bakole, who like others Sonny Liston with the power he creates with short blows. He doesn’t need to finish on his punches to land heavy knockout punches, which makes him a poor option for the flashy Joshua.

#3 IBF Bakole (21-1m 16 KOs) takes on #5 Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) next in an IBF title eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for champion Daniel Dubois. Bakole, 31, is coming off a fifth-round knockout of America’s top heavyweight contender, Jared Anderson, on Aug. 3 in Los Angeles.

You can never say never, but it is unlikely that AJ and Hearn will ever choose to fight Bakole because he is wrong for them in every department. Joshua is more focused on Fury’s two fights in 2025 and avenging his humiliating fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois on September 21. It was the unkindest cut for Anthony, as he was knocked out in front of a crowd of over 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London.

“Hey Anthony Joshua, this video is for you. I called (you) out, I wanted to knock you out, and now you say Ajagba will beat me. Shame on you. How many times have I called you? How many times have I asked you to fight in Africa? You should be ashamed,” said Martin Bakole on X.

“I want to fight you.” Look at Daniel Dubois – I broke his nose twice (in sparring) and he knocked you out cold. I’ll knock you out in the first round. Are you talking about Ajagba? Ajagba is a baby, wait and see how I knock him out.”

😡 for you @anthonijoshua 👊🇨🇩 pic.tvitter.com/tRKSfkDfI0E

— Martin Bakole (@MartinBakole01) January 6, 2025