Anthony Joshua urged to turn down fight with ‘most avoided heavyweight’

Anthony Joshua has been advised to steer clear of a huge showdown with Martin Bakole despite claims the deal is complete.

Joshua is at a crossroads in his heavyweight career after being brutally knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September, and has yet to pencil in concrete details over a return fight.

AJ was keen to face bitter rival Tyson Fury, but the fight appears now off the cards with the ‘Gypsy King’ having announced his retirement from the sport.

He then faced off with Bakole recently, who issued a video call-out on social media, with a huge showdown in Africa on the table.

Incredibly Bakole’s promoter Ben Shalom told talkSPORT recently that a deal was ‘done’, although it is unclear if Joshua has signed on the dotted line.

I was managing Anthony Joshua I wouldn’t go near Martin Bakole,” trainer McGuigan said.

“In my opinion there is only another four fights for Joshua. And in reality, he needs to fight for a title or against Tyson Fury.”

Those fights we have always wanted to see can happen, people used to use the issue of money, but now that has all been eliminated.

“There is absolutely every chance Bakole could be [a world champion in the next 12 months].

“If he gets a fight against any of those guys he can beat them, he is a nightmare of everybody.”

Joshua has always had a desire to fight in Africa, and Bakole plans to get his native Congo involved with the clash.