On the scene. Usyk To Use Bakole as Sparring Partner To Prepare For Joshua Rematch This content is protected BY [url]******* STAFF[/url] Published Mon May 23, 2022, 11:34 AM EDT IBF, WBA, IBO, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is going to have top level sparring in his training camp, as he is bringing in the always dangerous Martin Bakole. Usyk is preparing for a planned rematch with Anthony Joshua, which is targeted for July 23 in the Middle East. Last September, Usyk outboxed Joshua over twelve rounds to capture the unified heavyweight crown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joshua would quickly exercise an immediate rematch clause. Bakole is coming off the biggest win of his career. Earlier this month he traveled to Paris to score an upset decision win over Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka. Bakole has sparred with Joshua in the past and he also helped WBC champion Tyson Fury prepare for his April win over Dillian Whyte. Now he will assist Usyk in what will be a very important camp. Bakole's head trainer, Billy Nelson, believes his boxer is more skilled than Joshua and has a high output of punches. "I was contacted during the week regarding Martin sparring again [with usyk]," Nelson told Sky Sports. "I knew that was going to happen anyway because they were super happy with him on the first occasion, I think Martin gave them the best sparring he's had. "Usyk and his team respect his skill to the extent that one of his team said Martin will become a world champion in the not too distant future." "I'd say Martin's skillset is better than Anthony Joshua's. Joshua probably punches harder than Martin, but Martin's output is much higher along with his variety of punches."
Bakole needs to stop being a sparring partner for a while. He already has sparring partner syndrome. Against Yoka, he showed zero killer instinct. Once he had Yoka hurt, he just backed off like you would in the gym. It's a trap. Get the killer instinct back. Fight regularly. Don't take paid gigs to spar guys. At some point, most heavyweights who want to get to the top make a conscious decision not to be employed as a sparring partner anymore.
The best thing for boxing would be if Joshua wins the rematch and fights Fury. Big money and big press that will interest casual fans. Boxing needs the casual fans right now. Fury will fight him if he wins. However, Joshua without confidence is a soft touch. All this rides on if he can get his mind right.
That's not Joshua's fault so I've no problem giving the lad credit if he beats Usyk, I mean why on earth wouldn't I?
