Boxing

Dangerous heavyweight issues knockout threat to Anthony Joshua

DAZN

6, Jan 25

Watch Opetaia vs. Nyika Jan 8 live on DAZN

Anthony Joshua may not have announced if he is fighting in 2025, but there is one man eager to face the two-time world champion.

After being knocked out by IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September, Joshua is set for another rebuild as he looks to challenge the best in the division once more.

Whilst preparing for his next move, Joshua has been keeping an eye on some of his rivals and he recently backed Efe Ajagba to beat Martin Bakole when the pair meet in an IBF title eliminator later this year.

Read next | Jai Opetaia sends aggressive warning to David Nyika ahead of world title fight

As expected, this prediction did not go down well with Bakole who responded to Joshua on X and called out the Olympic gold medallist for a fight.

"Hey, Anthony Joshua, this video is for you. I called [you] out, I wanted to knock you out, and now you’re saying Ajagba is going to beat me. Shame on you," Bakole said.

"How many times did I call you out? How many times did I ask you to fight in Africa? You should feel ashamed of yourself.

“I want to fight you. Look at Daniel Dubois – I broke his nose twice [in sparring] and he knocked you out cold. I will knock you out in the first round. You’re talking about Ajagba? Ajagba is a baby, wait till you see how I’m going to knock him out. I invite you to be there.

"You’re talking s—t. I want to fight you. Stop talking nonsense. Now you’re in Nigeria you’re not British anymore. I’m an African giant. After knocking Ajagba out I will knock you out as well.”

Bakole has fast become one of the heavyweight division's most feared and he further cemented this status in August when he faced Jared Anderson.

Anderson was fancied by many to beat Bakole, but the latter produced a shock by beating the highly touted American with a stoppage in the fifth round of their contest.

Watch Opetaia vs Nyika live on DAZN

Jai Opetaia and David Nyika's fight card and the DAZN live broadcast will begin at 8am GMT; 3am ET; 6pm AEST.

Opetaia and Nyika will then step into the ring at 12:30pm GMT; 7:30am ET; 10:30pm AEST.

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