Is Martin Bakole overrated?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024.


?

Poll closed Dec 21, 2024.

  1. Yes

    28 vote(s)
    45.2%

  2. No

    34 vote(s)
    54.8%
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  1. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    - 4.5 years into his pro career Bakole stepped up to fight cruiserweight title challenger Hunter, who outboxed the favoured Bakole, had him imploring his trainer to throw in the towel and stopped him in 10 (Hunter never stopped anyone else worth mentioning and drew over 12 with 40+ Povetkin 14 months later), with Bakole seemingly avoiding a Hunter rematch ever since despite Hunter being in an extended period of poor form

    - Having rebounded to stop four journeymen in good fashion, most notably Wach and Kevin, 251.5 lbs Bakole fought fellow Hunter-victim and fringe contender Kuzmin, with the A-side Bakole winning a mildly controversial 7-3 decision

    - Bakole travelled to Paris to fight the favoured 11-0 "Olympic gold medallist" Yoka, exposing him and delivering a one-sided beatdown but he failed to stop Yoka over 10 and lost two of the later rounds

    - Bakole (now 284.5 lbs, 15 lbs lighter than in his previous fight against Takam) travelled to America to fight the favoured 17-0 heavily hyped but mentally fragile prospect Anderson, exposing and destroying him inside 5 rounds

    - Bakole has stepped in to replace Dubois against Parker as the underdog on 48 hours notice, flying to Saudi from the Congo on Friday

    So far we know that if you're a journeyman, Bakole will do a job on you. If you're an overhyped prospect or fringe contender, he will beat you either close or out of sight. But he lost badly in his only fight against a consensus top 10 heavyweight and has fluctuated significantly in weight.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2025
    Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024
    Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024
    #1
    Kiwi Fish, GlaukosTheHammer and Overhand94 like this.
  2. Scotty Cork

    Scotty Cork Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hes good but not great
     
    Scotty Cork, Dec 14, 2024
    Scotty Cork, Dec 14, 2024
    #2
    Kiwi Fish likes this.
  3. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    He was very green for Hunter and injured himself. It tells you what you need to know if that fight is the opening argument.
     
    NoNeck, Dec 14, 2024
    NoNeck, Dec 14, 2024
    #3
  4. Scotty Cork

    Scotty Cork Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Very lucky vs Kuzmin as well. Not elite imo
     
    Scotty Cork, Dec 14, 2024
    Scotty Cork, Dec 14, 2024
    #4
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  5. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    I don’t know anyone who thinks he’s elite.
     
    NoNeck, Dec 14, 2024
    NoNeck, Dec 14, 2024
    #5
  6. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Overrated, probably.

    Any big destroyer that gets on form and looks durable and hard hitting will always receive lots of hype.

    More than his hype levels though, he brings excitement and that means I wanna see him fight.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 14, 2024
    lufcrazy, Dec 14, 2024
    #6
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  7. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wasn't that 8 rounds into a 10 round fight that he was clearly losing?

    It's the opening point because it's the first significant fight the 25 year old Bakole had after 11 fights and 4.5 years as a pro. I didn't think his early 4 round MD over a 13-44-5 journeyman was worth mentioning.
     
    Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024
    Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024
    #7
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  8. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    No am experience.
     
    NoNeck, Dec 14, 2024
    NoNeck, Dec 14, 2024
    #8
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  9. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Apparently he did (quoted as starting at 15) but it's not recoded on Boxrec.
     
    Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024
    Redbeard7, Dec 14, 2024
    #9
  10. MetalLicker

    MetalLicker I Am Full Member

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    He's big, strong and can take a punch. If you're not legit, he's going to expose you.

    He's a hard fight for most of the top 10. If he's in a fight, I'll watch for sure.
     
    MetalLicker, Dec 14, 2024
    MetalLicker, Dec 14, 2024
    #10
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  11. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    No
     
    Serge, Dec 14, 2024
    Serge, Dec 14, 2024
    #11
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  12. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes and no.

    Yes because he's got a massive buzz for beating one of the worst hypejobs ever.

    No because at the end of the day, he is a (bottom end) top ten guy in a division that suddenly has a lot of depth.

    He'll beat Ajagba, get a shot, and get beat by whoever the champ is.
     
    catchwtboxing, Dec 14, 2024
    catchwtboxing, Dec 14, 2024
    #12
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  13. TheWizard

    TheWizard I Got Milk Baby Full Member

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    No. He'll demolish the winner of Dubois vs Parker if he gets a title shot next year.
     
    TheWizard, Dec 14, 2024
    TheWizard, Dec 14, 2024
    #13
  14. Power_tek

    Power_tek Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think obviously his power is impressive but his accuracy of his combinations is decent too, problem with him is he takes shots to get his work in, he’s more of a slugger than a boxer.
    That’s why he is avoided because he sucks you into trading with him and that’s where the risk factor comes from. He stays rooted eats a few and gets his shots in.
    His flaws definitely outweigh his strengths and in an era where mobile fighters are dominating the heavyweight division he is a sitting duck, usyk would absolutely demoralise him.
    The flaws he has are not easily fixed and he will be exposed again like hunter did to him, he would be perfect for someone like Joseph Parker.
    That being said I like him because he’s an anomaly in the division, and if he drags someone in a slugging match it becomes a game of luck.
    Good guy, big heart, great reach, solid combinations but completely lacking in many of the basic fundamentals of boxing, poor head movement, dreadful footwork, loose guard and not the best ring iq.
    I would love to see him slugging it out with Dubois I think he would get dragged into a slug fest.
     
    Power_tek, Dec 14, 2024
    Power_tek, Dec 14, 2024
    #14
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  15. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Remains to be seen. His only loss was a result of an injury. Allegedly.

    but, facts are, he’s a SHW, he’s strong, he’s a hard hitter, he’s durable, his power seems to be there with anything he throws and he’s got a nice punch selection, he’s got pretty solid hand speed for his size, and he’s doesn’t seem to have stamina issues.

    so, what’s he missing that can’t be taught?

    I mean, who knows, but he seems like he’s got a LOT of raw material to work with, and I look forward to following his career.

    Oh… and with each dodge… his sparring stories seem more believable. Kabayel, who I’d have favored to find a way to outbox Bakole to a decision, dodges him (pulls out) to fight… Zhang? That on its own seems to say something.
     
    Barrf, Dec 14, 2024
    Barrf, Dec 14, 2024
    #15
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