In the world of boxing, sparring secrets usually stay hidden. But not this time. Martin Bakole has stirred the pot, leaking footage that’s sparked a fiery debate. The clip? It shows Bakole dominating Joe Joyce, or so it seems. Joyce’s head guard flies off; the intensity is palpable. But is there more to the story?
Joe Joyce thinks so. He hints at unseen footage, a complete narrative yet to untold. Bakole’s response? Defiant, challenging, taunting. “You are easy work for me,” he claims. But can we take this at face value? Are we seeing the prelude to a titanic showdown?
Disappointed Joe Joyce fires back
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Following the release of the contentious sparring video by Martin Bakole, Joe Joyce expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the sanctity of sparring privacy. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. Spar should be private,” Joyce remarked, reflecting on the breach of an unspoken boxing rule. He suggested Bakole’s motive was clear: “just trying to gain some traction and trying to get a fight. But you didn’t see the rest of them, like how he pulled out quickly from the spotlight, you know, halfway through the spar, and me bashing him up, which I don’t, like. I could release that footage too, you know? It’s all gone into his plan.“
Stop talking to much man. Just say yes to fight me. You already said NO
You are easy work for me 👊 @JoeJoyceBoxing @mrsamjones88 https://t.co/ICkTnHFrxh— Martin Bakole (@MartinBakole01) March 15, 2024
Despite the controversy, Joyce acknowledged the strategic success of Bakole’s actions. He added, “He’s got people talking about it…he’s got his name out there. He’s been successful. I bit back. I commented back, so he’s fishing, and he’s got something.“
In a sharp retort, Bakole wasted no time firing back at Joyce through a tweet. “Stop talking too much man. Just say yes to fight me. You already said NO. You are easy work for me,” he challenged, directly tagging Joyce and his former manager, Sam Jones. This direct challenge showcased Bakole’s confidence and his eagerness to escalate their rivalry from sparring sessions to an official bout. While Bakole is challenging Joe Joyce, the WBA earlier this year ordered him and Cassius Chaney to fight.
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Bakole vs. Chaney: A collision course for heavyweight title contention
Martin Bakole and Cassius Chaney are set on a collision course, with the WBA ordering a heavyweight title eliminator to carve out the next mandatory challenger. Their recent triumphs in the ring have set the stage for this pivotal clash. Bakole, coming off a decisive victory over Carlos Takam, has showcased his power and resilience, maintaining a winning streak since his 2018 setback.
On the other side, Chaney revitalized his career with a knockout win against Trevor Bryan, marking a significant upturn after his 2021 defeat. This upcoming bout not only promises high stakes but also the chance for either fighter to step closer to heavyweight glory, with the WBA’s decision setting the countdown for their showdown.
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Also Read: Boxing News: Joe Joyce Makes His Pick For Anthony Joshua Vs Francis Ngannou
Who do you think Bakole should go for next? Should he target the Joe Joyce or do you think Chaney would be the best move for his career? Let us know your thoughts.