After Saturday’s upset, Martin Bakole already has eyes on next target

Just after recording an upset win over heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson on Saturday, Martin Bakole said he prefers to next fight either the winner of December’s Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch or Michael Hunter, in their own rematch.

Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs), of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, shook up American boxing fans when he earned a fifth-round stoppage victory over the favored Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Referee Jerry Cantu intervened to stop the fight after Bakole landed unanswered shots on his opponent after a knockdown in the fifth round.

Having started on a bright note, Anderson was dropped for the first time in his pro career in the opening round by Bakole, who connected with a left hook and an uppercut. The fight ended abruptly in the fifth after Bakole sent Anderson to the canvas for the second time from a straight right and uppercut combination.

An ecstatic Bakole said he knew he was going to catch Anderson with big shots.

“We planned on it. This is what we planned with my coach,” Bakole said after the fight. “We saw him switch a lot, so we planned that as soon as he switches I’m going to land a big hand or an uppercut. I’m a little taller than him, so I knew it was going to work.

“He’s a tough guy, and I know he would come to give me a fight, and that’s the mistake he made – to give me the fight. He should box me, and maybe I’m going to turn the gun. Don’t ever stand with Bakole. I’m a big machine. I can take punches for 12 rounds.

The victory earned Bakole a minor belt from the WBO.

“I’m No. 1 in WBA, so today I’m [also a] WBO [belt holder] and I’m looking forward to facing the winner of Usyk-Tyson.”

Bakole has now won 10 in a row since losing a 10-round TKO to Michael Hunter in October 2018 in London, and he immediately challenged Hunter – who attended Saturday’s card – to a rematch.

“Michael Hunter is here – my boy is here,” Bakole said. “This is the fight that I always want. He always talks on social media. He’s here, I’m here in America, I stopped the No. 1 American here. And Michael Hunter, I want a rematch, and that’s the reason why I’m calling him here, so we can do this, baby.”

Hunter (23-1-2, 16 KOs), who entered the ring to congratulate Bakole, was asked if he wanted a Bakole rematch. “Absolutely,” he answered.

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” back in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].