Ben Shalom doesn't believe Anthony Joshua would risk fighting Martin Bakole

Ben Shalom on Martin Bakole calling out Anthony Joshua

BOXXER chief Ben Shalom, in an interview with Betfred, has claimed that Anthony Joshua won’t fight Martin Bakole (21-1, 16KO) and believes fighters have “run for the hill” when faced with fighting the adopted Scot who trains with Billy Nelson in Airdrie.

The 33-year-old Congolese heavyweight only fought once in 2024, defeating top prospect Jared Anderson via fifth round KO to win the North American Boxing Federation and WBO International heavyweight titles.

Bakole is now ranked IBF #3 (top-ranked contender), WBA #2, WBO #2, WBC #5, IBO #4.

“I think it’s a fight that won’t happen,” Shalom answered when quizzed about a matchup with Anthony Joshua.

“Look how many people have run for the hills when faced with fighting Martin Bakole. The dangerous thing now is that he is only one fight away from a world title and no one can avoid him. I think that’s a relief now, coming into the career, managed to work his way up to the IBF eliminator and final eliminator and he’s one fight away.

“I don’t think it will be Anthony Joshua, I think it’ll be Efe Ajagba because the fight’s been agreed, then he will fight for a world title. Maybe once he has a world title, AJ will consider it as a massive fight in Africa. You would have to speak to him.

“We’re currently just focused on Martin Bakole and right now, we believe we have the most dangerous man in the heavyweight division. We believe he’s going to win a world title and then we could possibly unify. It’s all on track now and he’s won right away.

“I think he’s going to beat Ajgba and then he’s going to fight the winner of Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois. Unless there’s that unification and there’s a step aside, then he’ll fight the winner of that. So that’s the only possibility now, so it’s exciting times.

“Martin will fight anyone. Line them up because Martin Bakole is going to beat every single one of them and they all know it. Don’t look at what they say on camera, look at their actions, look at what’s going on, so it’s only a matter of time now.”