Martin Bakole Emerges As Next Challenger For Daniel Dubois' IBF Title

The Congolese professional boxer, Martin Bakole becomes the last man standing to challenge the current IBF title holder, Daniel Dubois, for the world championship title.

Before the final eliminator tie between Bakole and Dubois, the duo are scheduled for a separate potential match at different times in 2025.

Dubois, for instance, is making his next defense of the IBF belt against Joseph Parker on February 22, while Bakole will be taking on Efe Ajagba in May in the USA.

Ejagba has a magnificent boxing record. With a stat of only one loss, he has stopped 15 out of his 20 opponents, so his current knock-out ratio is 71%. He has been on a five-bout winning run since his 2021 defeat to Frank Sanchez.

Bakole has long been highly ranked and is pushing to force a shot at Dubois' title. The IBF has ordered Ajagba, as the next available rated contender, to box Bakole in that final eliminator.

"You don't stand with Martin Bakole. I am a big man and I am a machine," he declared after that win. "No one wants to fight me.

"I'm a machine. I'm in this sport to take over. I want to be No 1." cc

Dubois who is a potential future contender for Bakole, just rose from a titlist to IBF heavyweight champion. Daniel knocked out Anthony Joshua in a stunning fashion last year.

In the absence of Joshua, Dubois will be making his next defense of his belt on February 22 when he takes on Joseph Parker.

The Ibf contest between the aforementioned boxers may be another big boxing event as it is likely to be scheduled towards the end of 2025.