Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua vs Martin Bakole could happen next in Africa in a huge heavyweight dust-up.
Bakole’s coach Billy Nelson has revealed he would take the fight in a heartbeat, with rumours now gathering momentum that the fight could happen next.
Anthony Joshua vs Martin Bakole Rumoured For Africa Showdown
Rumours are circulating that Anthony Joshua vs Martin Bakole could be set for a heavyweight clash next year in Africa.
This comes after Eddie Hearn revealed that ‘AJ’ could face Bakole next in a recent interview with iFLTV.
The two-time world heavyweight champion hasn’t fought since September 2024, when he was stopped in five rounds by fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
Since then, there have been rumours of Joshua fighting a whole host of names including Tyson Fury, Dubois again, Tony Yoka and even of course Bakole now too.
Anthony Joshua’s record consists of several elite victories over world class heavyweights, but there is no doubt that the Olympic gold medallist is nearing the end of his career.
With ‘AJ’ having Nigerian links and Bakole being born and rained on the Democratic Republic of Congo, a fight between the pair makes total sense for Africa.
Bakole’s coach Billy Nelson has revealed that he is open to the fight with ‘AJ’ in Africa, stating that it’s the only opponent Joshua could face if he’s to fight in Africa next:
“If AJ fights in Africa next let’s be perfectly honest he can only face Martin Bakole. It would be a huge fight anywhere in Africa. But Eddie Hearn & Anthony Joshua are intelligent guys, they won’t [give] Martin that fight.”
Whether or not this actually happens or not is another thing, but it seems that Joshua vs Bakole is a genuine possibility for a huge heavyweight clash next year somewhere in Africa.
If AJ fight a in Africa next let’s be perfectly honest he can only face @MartinBakole01
It would be a huge fight anywhere in Africa
But @EddieHearn & @anthonyjoshua are intelligent guys they wont Martin that fight.— Billy Nelson (@L2Box1) October 1, 2025
Why Would Joshua vs Bakole Be In Africa?
With the Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul rumours now silent, a clash between ‘AJ’ and Martin Bakole somewhere in Africa is now in the running.
The reason that Joshua vs Bakole could be headed for somewhere in Africa is down to a few different variables. One being that Joshua has expressed on more than one occasion his desire to fight in Africa before he retires.
Another reason is that both men have African links. Bakole is fully Congolese, having lived there for most of his life. When he’s not in his home country, he is usually training in Glasgow with coach Billy Nelson.
Although Joshua is British, was born in Watford and represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, he has African links of his own.
Joshua’s mother is Nigerian, while his father is of Nigerian and Irish ancestry. The two-time world heavyweight champion’s Nigerian background traces back to the Yoruba people specifically.
Many people might not know who Bakole is, but he is a world class fighter. Some fans have even labelled him the ‘most avoided heavyweight‘ in boxing, so it certainly wouldn’t be an easy task for Joshua against Bakole.
For all of these reason, Joshua vs Bakole going down in a huge fight somewhere in Africa seems a real possibility.
Who do you think wins between Anthony Joshua and Martin Bakole? 🤔
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) October 1, 2025
Who Would The AJ vs Bakole Favourite Be?
Despite losing his last fight in conclusive fashion to Daniel Dubois last September at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua would be the pre-fight favourite to beat Martin Bakole in their Africa showdown, should it get made.
Bakole was knocked out in two rounds by Joseph Parker in February, before returning to the ring in May to fight to a draw with Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba.
The Democratic Republic of Congo native is a force to be reckoned with when in shape, but has seemed to struggle with his weight and fitness in his last two fights.
Joshua on the other hand is always in tip-top condition, and would likely go in as favourite if a fight between he and heavyweight rival Bakole gets made.
Whether Anthony Joshua’s next fight is in Africa against Martin Bakole remains to be seen. For now, they are just rumours.
