Anthony Joshua urged to avoid ex-sparring partner who is an ‘animal’ and fight Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder instead
ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged to avoid fighting Martin Bakole - and instead look towards Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn was forced to deny that AJ had signed to face 21-1 Bakole next.
The two were former sparring partners in Team GB's Sheffield HQ - where Joshua used to train.
British heavyweight Dave Allen watched those sessions - and advised AJ against fighting the Congolese powerhouse.
Allen, 32, told : “Bakole is an animal. I’ve seen them spar.
"The spars I’ve seen were good spars, good competitive spars, but I don’t think it makes sense for Joshua.
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"He’s one of the best heavyweights of his generation, why box Martin Bakole?”
Bakole, 31, has won his last ten fights having only lost to Michael Hunter, 36, in 2018.
He most recently beat American prospect Jared Anderson, 25, in the biggest win of his career.
Joshua, 35, meanwhile was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and pulled out of talks for an immediate rematch.
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He was expected to fight Tyson Fury, 36, until the Gypsy King announced a shock retirement in January.
And Deontay Wilder, 39, is plotting a comeback after losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
And Allen said: “If he (Joshua) continues to fight its Fury or Wilder are the two for me.
"They make sense, there’s a backstory to it, they’d be crazy exciting fights. I would leave Martin Bakole well alone, if I was anybody to be honest.”