Martin Bakole to fulfil seven-year Anthony Joshua promise as Eddie Hearn ranks Airdrie boxer in fight plans

Martin Bakole will have the chance of a lifetime to show Anthony Joshua up-close exactly what he's made of.

AJ will be sat in the front row and have a better view than anyone in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh as Bakole battles Joseph Parker for the WBO Interim Title on Saturday night. The Congolese-born fighter, who lived and trained in Airdrie, has covered over 3,800 miles on just two days to replace Daniel Dubois, who was ruled out with illness.

The 6’6” heavyweight will now have the chance to prove his worth to AJ and his promoter Eddie Hearn who are in the crowd for the ‘The Last Crescendo’. If victorious it could make Bakole's Rumble in the Jungle dream move a step closer. AJ has already revealed his hopes to fight in Africa, with Bakole vowing back in 2018 to make the fight happen. Back then the pair got a taster of what it would be like to face each other, taking part in a number of training spar sessions.

In 2018, the Airdrie boxing ace said: “It was a wonderful experience sparring with such great fighters. I wasn’t intimidated by them – it inspires me. I’ve always dreamed of being world champion and I believe I will get the belt one day. I want to be in the mix in the next 12 months. I am scared of no one. Joshua, Fury, I don’t care who is put in front of me. I’ll take on any of them.

He added said: “AJ’s a tremendous fighter and it is hard work in the gym with him. But you don’t get invited back for four weeks unless you’re doing something right. It works for both of us because no one wants to spar with me and no one wants to spar with him either. So we help each other. People would pay to see us sparring. He hits hard – but I took it. I also gave a lot back. The sparring was intense but it has just given me an