Martin Bakole has vowed to beat Zhilei Zhang in entrance of his personal followers as he targets a heavyweight showdown in China within the wake of his assertion win over Jared Anderson.
Bakole thrust himself among the many world’s main heavyweight contenders earlier this month as he derailed the progress of rising American hope Anderson with a fifth-round stoppage victory in Los Angeles.
He’s now wanting in the direction of Zhang as the newest stepping stone in the direction of a world title shot having seen his rival knock out Deontay Wilder following high-profile fights towards Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce, the latter of whom he stopped twice.
“I would love to fight big Zhang in December in China,” Bakole instructed Sky Sports activities. “I heard His Excellency wanted to make the fight in China so that’s the fight I’m looking for. If that happens I’ll be so happy.
“I am able to battle massive Zhang in China earlier than his followers. I all the time battle exterior, I went to America and stopped Anderson, I went to Paris and beat Tony Yoka so I’d like to go to China and beat Zhang in entrance of his followers, that is a battle I would love and I am wanting ahead to it.”
Bakole has typically referred to himself as one of many ‘most-avoided’ fighters within the heavyweight division, beforehand claiming he even stopped Oleksandr Usyk throughout a sparring session.
His win over Anderson lifted his skilled document to 21-1, with Bakole presently sitting No 1 within the WBA rankings and third within the WBC pecking order.
“Martin Bakole is hungry, and he’s ready to make his mark on the world stage,” mentioned BOXXER CEO and promoter Ben Shalom.
“A clash with Zhilei Zhang is exactly the kind of blockbuster fight that boxing fans deserve, two heavyweight titans going toe-to-toe.
“This can be a battle that would shake the division to its core, and we’re right here to make it occur. The world desires to see it, and so can we. Let’s give the followers what they need!”
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Parker picked himself off the canvas twice to defeat Zhang by majority resolution in Saudi Arabia
Bakole’s coach Billy Nelson has backed his fighter to cease Zhang inside the distance, the 41-year-old sitting 27-2-1 having misplaced solely by way of resolution to Filip Hrgovic and Parker in his profession.
“It would be a great challenge for Martin fighting in China against Zhang, one we’d relish,” mentioned Nelson. “There would be millions of eyes on it.
“I’d be very assured Martin would cease Zhang in all probability earlier than the eighth, I feel he is too quick and too sharp, his engine is much superior to Zhang’s.
“We know Zhang is dangerous early doors with his left hand, but it would be a challenge we’d be up for and very confident of winning.”
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