Bakole vs Kabayel is official

I thought it was Jalolov?

 

Not official yet, just officially ordered by the IBF

But it makes sense to have this on the Fury-Usyk card - it's a very fine heavyweight matchup.

 

I was just talking about this match and lamenting that it would probably be years down the line before we got it, if ever. Very glad that steps are already being made to get it done.

Gonna try not to get too excited since it's just been ordered and isn't officially made yet, but that's a damn fine matchup, and timely too. Two top ranked contenders, who both just knocked another guy out of the top ten according to The Ring, meeting with some good momentum behind them instead of things being drawn out. What's not to love?

 

Would be a shame....

Let Kabayel/Bakole/Zhang chin off a bum hypejob like AJ instead of each other

I wouldn't mind seeing all three KO AJ 3 times in a row.

 

I don't think it will be made. Both fighters are very assertive.

 

Whoever wins between these 2, both smash Dubois.

 

I would be surprised if anyone smashed Dubois at this point.

 

Dubois keeping those belts warm

 

I'd argue that Bakole is the one who is slightly overated. He hasn't even beaten anyone as good as Chisora yet. I like this fight a lot though, it will produce a true contender.

 

But it's great a fight like this is being made, regardless of whether a title shot has been achieved.

 

Agreed, that both have done nothing to prove they are championship material. Bakole has really done nothing other than expose hype jobs in Yoka and Anderson. Based on these wins, he's at best a gatekeeper at worst he's just another over hyped contender. Personally I think he has too many holes in his game to be anything more than a gatekeeper.

Kabayel has at least beaten a proven gatekeeper in Chisora. So, he's the more proven of the two. But being better than Chisora doesn't mean you will be a champion. But I'd at least say Kabayel is a genuine contender, albeit a fringe level contender.

 

I was really excited about the prospect of Jalolov and Bakole fighting. Please let it be Jalalov.

 

Tbh I think Kabayel takes it. Bakole is massively overrated at the moment.