For Martin Bakole, it’s been a whirlwind of events – quite literally, a case of ‘jet-set-go’! The towering heavyweight, now one of the most feared names in the division, received an unexpected last-minute call to face Joseph Parker. Parker had originally been set to fight IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois, but a sudden viral infection forced the British heavyweight to withdraw, leaving organizers scrambling for a worthy replacement.

Their search led them straight to Martin Bakole. Ranked No. 3 by the IBF, Bakole is coming off a dominant performance against America’s rising heavyweight star, Jared Anderson. Subsequently, talks of potential matchups against Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel emerged. Rumors also suggest that Bakole could face Nigerian powerhouse Efe Ajagba in May for the Dubois title eliminator. But before tonight’s big fight, let’s take a closer look at the man who has impressed fans with his fearless attitude and willingness to step up on short notice.

Is Martin Bakole Congolese? Ethnicity and nationality

Martin Bakole Ilunga was born on June 1, 1993, in Kananga, formerly part of Zaire and now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While specific details about his ethnic background remain unclear, it has been suggested that he comes from an aristocratic lineage.

In 2016, Bakole made a major move, relocating to Scotland, where he now resides in Greengairs, a village in Airdrie. He trains in Glasgow under the guidance of renowned coach Billy Nelson.

Which religion does Martin Bakole follow?

Although not officially documented, Bakole appears to be a devout Christian. Fans may recall the weigh-in ahead of his fight against Jared Anderson, where he sported a reference to John 14:6 on his waistband: “JESUS, The Way, The Truth, and The Life.”

Following his victory over Anderson, @_christhlete shared an Instagram post highlighting Bakole’s gratitude to Jesus Christ. In a screenshot of Bakole’s own message, he wrote, “Merci beaucoup, Jesus Christ de Nazareth, Lokumu yayo papa,” which roughly translates to “Thank you, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Glory to you, Father.”

In another tweet, he expressed his faith again: “Thank you, Lord, we did it. 👊. Big thanks to my fan around 🌍 for the support. God bless.” His strong Christian faith is deeply connected to the religious devotion of his hometown, Kananga.

Interestingly, Kananga gained significant recognition in 2018 within Orthodox Christian circles, particularly in Greece, following the release of the documentary ‘Kananga.’ The film explored the city’s minority Orthodox Christian community and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, the largest Eastern Orthodox church in Africa.

Notably, nearly 95% of Congolese people identify as Christians, further highlighting the deep-rooted faith that Bakole embraces. Given his recent form, fearless approach, and relentless determination, the heavyweight division may be in for a serious shake-up tonight.

With the odds stacked against him, can Martin Bakole tip the scales in his favor and pull off a major upset against Joseph Parker?