Former boxer and promoter Barry McGuigan has given his thoughts on who the biggest threat in the heavyweight division is.
The Irishman believes that there is one up-and-coming fighter that can cause problems for the division’s elite.
As Daniel Dubois is preparing to face Joseph Parker on February 22nd for the IBF World Heavyweight title, the winner may look towards unifying the division. Dubois has named Oleksandr Usyk as an ideal opponent for later this year, however, the division is not short of contenders.
Eddie Hearn has stated that he wants Anthony Joshua to get his crown back, while Moses Itauma is aiming to become one of the heavyweight division’s youngest champions. However, neither man was named by McGuigan as the biggest threat to the division.
Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk at risk of heavyweight contender, says McGuigan
Speaking on Talk Sport, McGuigan was full of praise for Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole.
Bakole has stated he is fighting Joshua in Africa, however, the Englishman’s team has denied the claims.
However, McGuigan feels that Bakole is ‘kryptonite’ for many of the heavyweight division’s best, including Dubois and Usyk.
“I think he’s [Bakole] a tremendous talent. I think he’s the biggest threat in the heavyweight division. I think he’s kryptonite for Dubois… Ironically enough, I think he’s going to be a major issue for Usyk.”
In terms of what made Bakole such a threat to the current heavyweight champions, McGuigan would back his claim by stating the strengths of the fighter.
“He’s six-foot-six, 280 lbs…He has fast hands, he’s not a dynamite puncher, he’s got a solid chin, walks you down, throws volume.”
When asked why he felt Dubois would struggle against Bakole, McGuigan would say that the Congolese’s durability and capacity to take a punch would be significant.
Martin Bakole predicts Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker
As Bakole may look toward the winner of Dubois vs Parker, he was asked for his prediction for the fight in an interview with Talk Sport.
“[My] opinion is that Joseph Parker is going to beat Dubois,” said Bakole. “He’s got a little bit more experience… I think he will give Dubois a big problem.”
Bakole is currently scheduled to fight Efe Ajagba on a card that also sees Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia return to action in May.
The fight has been labeled as an IBF heavyweight world title eliminator, meaning the winner of the bout will be in pole position to call for the winner of Dubois vs Parker.