Congolese boxer Martin Bakole has shared insights into the upcoming heavyweight clash between Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua on March 8. After supporting the British Gypsy King in the Predator’s first fight last October, the heavyweight title contender predicts a bout that won’t be decided by a decision.
On March 8, boxing enthusiasts will witness a heavyweight showdown between the two-time world champion in WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO, Anthony Joshua (30 fights, 27 victories including 24 KOs and 3 defeats), and the phenomenon Francis Ngannou. After a sensational debut against Tyson Fury last October, the Cameroonian star will step into the ring against a prominent figure in the noble art worldwide. As predictions begin to surface, Congolese boxer Martin Bakole has delivered his forecast on this historic matchup.
Bakole’s analysis of Francis Ngannou
Martin Bakole, currently topping the new heavyweight rankings (December 2023) of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and eyeing a title fight, gave an interview to iFL TV expressing his enthusiasm for the Anthony Joshua vs. Ngannou bout. According to the Congolese boxer, proudly boasting a record of 23 fights with 22 victories and 1 defeat, Ngannou’s second fight will be explosive and won’t end in a judges’ decision.
Having witnessed Francis Ngannou’s bout against Fury last October, Martin Bakole admitted being surprised by the Predator’s performance, sending the Gypsy King to the canvas in the 3rd round before losing in controversy on points. Alongside the Brit during the preparation for this fight, Bakole reveals that Fury had underestimated Ngannou.
“I’ve never seen Tyson training like that. He was doing four rounds, six rounds in the gym for sparring. Maybe he’s watching this and knows he wasn’t 100% focused. That’s not the Tyson Fury I know when he was preparing for Klitschko, Chisora, and Gillian Whyte. Fury took Ngannou lightly, not too seriously. He expected to stop him around the 5th round, but Ngannou took him seriously and thought that if he stopped Tyson Fury, he would make a name for himself in the boxing world,” he explained.
Bakole banks on Ngannou
According to Bakole, Anthony Joshua won’t make the same mistake as Fury, and he will take Ngannou seriously. The 30-year-old Congolese, who dominated Carlos Takam on the same card as Fury-Ngannou, believes that Eddie Hearn’s protégé, despite his experience and technique, will struggle on March 8.
“To be honest, Joshua will approach the fight differently from Fury because Joshua saw that Ngannou came to box, so he will take him seriously. Ngannou will also come to fight; he wants to make a name in boxing. Everyone was surprised to see how good he was in his fight against Tyson Fury,” Bakole continued before predicting the dazzling victory of the Cameroonian.
“Francis is also taking this fight seriously” “
Francis is a good guy; he has a lot of heart and everything it takes. If he manages to hit Joshua solidly, I think he will stop him because this time, Francis is also taking this fight seriously, and he will work hard to enhance his boxing skills,” he added.
In any case, the fight between Joshua and Ngannou will take place on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of an event organized by Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, and Frank Warren, Tyson Fury’s promoter. It will be Ngannou’s second boxing match after his controversial defeat against Fury, earning him the respect of many observers.
Francis Ngannou certainly wants to seize the opportunity of this second boxing match to clear his name. Recently on his X account (formerly Twitter), he announced his intentions. If Martin Bakole believes that AJ will fall under the power of the Cameroonian, then expect a historic bout.
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