A fight to determine IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois’ mandatory challenger has been ordered ahead of his potential title defense against Joseph Parker.
The 27-year-old is set to appear on a stacked Riyadh Season card following his punishing fifth-round stoppage victory over Anthony Joshua back in September.
While the matchup is yet to be confirmed, it has been heavily mooted that former heavyweight champion Parker will be the Brit’s dance partner on February 22.
However, If Daniel Dubois is able to overcome the strength and tenacity of his next opponent, he must then step into the ring against a bona fide wrecking machine.
IBF orders final eliminator between Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba
Martin Bakole has put himself in the shop window for a possible mega fight after producing a series of emphatic performances in recent years.
The Congolese slugger comes off a destructive finish over highly touted American prospect Jared Anderson, flooring his opponent three times before halting proceedings in the fifth round.
Not only that, but Bakole has claimed notable scalps against the likes of Tony Yoka and Carlos Takam, capturing the imagination of fans with his relentless style.
But now, trusted boxing insider Michael Benson has reported that the 32-year-old is set to take on Efe Ajagba, another ruthless finisher.
Since suffering his first professional defeat to Frank Sanchez in 2021, Ajagba has largely revived his promising career by amassing five back-to-back victories.
And so, the Nigerian has seemingly earned himself an all-African dustup against Bakole, with the pair looking set to collide in a final eliminator for Dubois’ IBF strap.
- Read More [Daniel Dubois would get ‘annihilated’ by hard-hitting heavyweight contender, says seasoned boxing trainer]
Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel reportedly withdrew from IBF eliminator
Bakole’s lofty ranking with the IBF meant that he was always going to face Dubois; it was just a question of when.
Initially, the fan-friendly bruiser was ordered to square off against Agit Kabayel in a final eliminator, with the German contender coming off a scintillating performance against Sanchez.
But now, it appears that Kabayel is set to face dynamite puncher Zhilei Zhang on the same card as Dubois’ potential clash with Parker.
Yet still, while the emergence of his mandatory challenger has taken longer than anticipated, it seems as though Dubois could have his next two opponents lined up.