Comments Thread For: Beware Martin Bakole? Or beware the heavyweight hype?

[Winky-Wright]

The promoter’s need to prank Fury, tell him he’s fighting Chisora for the 4th time for a retirement fight then send Bakole in.

[billeau2]

Are people really comparing this guy to Joyce? Joyce whom when he had to make adjustments could literally not make any in the ring? Joyce who used a 4 cylinder engine that kept going to overwhelm guys coming up like Dubois, before Dubois developed? Joyce won on the weakness of the division. Bakole has legit power, skills, and the ability to set an opponent up. Big difference in skill level! Big difference in chops... bakole can throw many punches, can cut the ring and stop the jab if a fighter cannot back him up. Bakole learned from the Hunter fight... No comparison.

If Bakole was in a strong division? Facing guys like Lyle, Norton, Frazier, sure... he would not have the same level of dominance. But he is in a relatively weak division... He only gets caught from the talent coming up, perhaps in a year, or so... Not by opponents like Dubois, at least I do not think so... Dubois has become decent but Bakole can do everything Daniel can do and hit a lot harder.

As some poster said: "as long as Bakole works on conditioning" he can be at his best and look out!

[Tatabanya]

Ajagba struggled with Guido Vianello. I predict his destruction by Bakole's extremely quick hands (which, incidentally, are also his most important, often decisive asset).

[JakeTheBoxer]

Bakole ended Jared˙s hype train, so i expect many guys to avoid him.

[pollywog]

Put the much decorated Jalolov in with Bakole and see if he's a legit pro.

[BrankoB]

Bakole isn't a copy of George Foreman, no one is. That said, Bakole is a good skilled strong heavyweight, full of confidence. All he needs to focus on is conditioning. That's what will allow him to show all his facets to the fullest. As long as he doesn't gas out, he's trouble for anyone

I think you have hit the nail on the head, BUT I am not sure he will ever have good conditioning. He showed up to the highest profile fight in his life fat and out of shape visibly blowing heavy after a few rounds. That to me is a guy who likes to eat a lot, does not like hard work and relies on his heavy hands to get him out of trouble. I like Bakole a lot as a puncher but my guess is that someone like Parker will box his ears off with ease.

[PBR Streetgang]

Ajagba struggled with Guido Vianello. I predict his destruction by Bakole's extremely quick hands (which, incidentally, are also his most important, often decisive asset).

He was also dropped numerous times by Kiladze (and also the Cuban Flash). I can't see Ajagba standing up to the firepower Martin is going to unleash on Efe's stationary head.

[The D3vil]

Bakole reminds me much more of Sonny Liston than George Foreman.

A big agile bear of a man who's more agile than people think.

[SUBZER0ED]

Funny, I hadn't heard that Bakole was getting much hype. To me, he's the guy who shut Jared Anderson's mouth, and he's looking to prove to himself and the world that he's the real deal. I also haven't heard of any of the top big boys calling him out, so maybe the hype that the author is talking about stems from Lawrence Bakole being avoided.

[PRINCEKOOL]

Martin Bakole should win this fight against Efe Ajagba but? Let's all be honest, Ajagba skill for skill is clearly the better boxer. And you never know how a Heavyweight will react once they are whacked with power punches. If Ajagba can evade Bakole's power, and land with his own power first with substantial effects? Then this fight may be more competitive than people expect.

As I stated in my first post 'I don't really rate Martin Bakole skill for skill as a fighter. But? It would not be very wise for anybody not to rate his brute strength and power, which are two attributes specifically in the Heavyweight division that can take you a long way'.

The reason why a high level of brute strength and power can take a Heavyweight fighter a long way, especially in this modern era of boxing 'Is because the base skill level of Heavyweight fighters is lower than all other weight divisions. This is no criticism of the Heavyweight Division, as I personally still regard the Heavyweight Boxing Division's as the ultimate division in all of combat sports'.

The reason why the base skill level of Heavyweight fighters are lower 'Is because there are so many other variables at play, that effect the performance of the competitors more intensely than the lower weight division's'.

Note: Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Uysk I & II is a fight which displays these observations and opinion of mine 'The weight differential between the two fighters at its highest was 55 pounds. Tyson Fury was 55 pounds heavier than Oleksandr Uysk II for their rematch. Fury of course is also a Super Heavyweight fighter, with distinctly different dimensions to his frame. Those are all variables which are going to have a effect on how a fighter prepares and performs come fight night. Heavyweight fighters have much more variables which they can focus on and utilize to improve their game'.

Where as fighters in lower weight division's, sometimes the main attributes which separates the best fighters in the world their nearest competition 'Is their skill level, and pure boxing ability. Because most of the top level fighters are all in condition, and very rarely lose a fight by not being prepared'.

The Heavyweight Divisions especially within this modern era 'Fighters don't really operate at that heightened level of professionalism and work ethic. We have seen top level Heavyweights fighters, lose fights because in reality? They are out of condition'.

There was this one time, when I was watching and listening to TalkSport, and? One of the presenters asked the question? How can Tyson Fury have a entire team, surrounding him who are solely focused on his training and preparation. And still Tyson Fury has numerous times in his career turned up to fights, nowhere near his optimal condition? The presenter asking this question was a former professional soccer player, and he did not understand how a professional Athlete could put themselves in that position. I don't personally rate Soccer players super highly in terms of work ethic, but? Within that sport and culture at least at the top level, if a soccer player is not in condition. Then most likely that player is not making the first team. So there is a major incentive for the athletes to stay in condition.

Boxing overall as an individual sport, demands a higher intensity of work ethic from the athletes fundamentally. But in this modern era of boxing, and specifically in the Heavyweight, there is a modern training culture and attitudes that in my opinion were not present during past Heavyweight boxing eras to a very high level.

To conclude: Martin Bakole should beat Efe Ajagba, but? Ajagba is most likely in better condition than Bakole and skill for skill in my opinion he is the better boxer. Ajagba was a solid level Amateur fighter who has won medals at multiple global championships'. If Martin Bakole can beat Efe Ajagba, I would say that this is his first real solid level win 'I would personally rate this win higher than his last win against, the domestic level American Heavyweight' etc.