Martin Bakole vs. Michael Hunter - 13 October 2018

[Ruthless-RKO]

Cyclone Promotions are delighted to announce that exciting contender Martin Bakole (11-0-0) will face former world title challenger Michael Hunter (14-1-0) as part of a huge night of action at York Hall on October 13th. The mouth-watering heavyweight showdown will be shown live and exclusive on Channel 5, and is sponsored by Voltarol.

Having notched up back-to-back first round stoppage wins under the Cyclone banner, the Airdrie-based Bakole now has the chance to prove himself against former Olympian Michael Hunter.

The super-slick Hunter pushed pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk the full distance during their competitive Cruiserweight world title showdown last year, and has remained undefeated since moving up to fight at Heavyweight following the sole loss of his pro career.

Bakole has been helping heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to prepare for his fight with Alexander Povetkin and is looking forward to the challenge.

“I am so happy to get this chance to show everyone how good I am on October 13th. Michael Hunter is a tough fighter who will come to win, and I am grateful to him for taking this fight. I am ready to prove I am one of the best heavyweights in the world with a victory, and I promise I will put on a good show for the fans at York Hall," Bakole said.

Hunter added: “A win against Martin Bakole would be the perfect way for me to propel myself back into world title contention. There’s been lots of talk about him, but who has he fought? I fought the very best at Cruiserweight, and I believe I’m now a different animal as a heavyweight. Camp has been amazing, and no doubt about it - I’ll take care of business on October 13th.”

Also on the bill is Edinburgh’s Bantamweight starlet Lee McGregor (4-0-0), who challenges Thomas Essomba (8-4-0) for the Commonwealth Bantamweight crown in just his fifth pro outing. McGregor became the IBF Youth World Bantamweight champion last time out on the Josh Taylor vs. Viktor Postol undercard, as he wiped out African prospect Goodluck Mrema within four rounds.

Having made a flawless start to life in the professional ranks, Cruiserweight up-and-comer Chris Billam-Smith (6-0-0) takes on Dagenham’s Robin Dupre (13-1-0) in a Commonwealth Cruiserweight title eliminator on the bill.

IBO World Lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron (7-0-0) makes the third defence of her strap against former world champion Dahiana Santana (36-9-0). Northampton’s Cameron will be looking to make a statement against the vastly-experienced Santana, as she looks to catch the eye ahead of potential blockbuster unification bouts in the coming months.

Further undercard additions will be announced in the coming days, ahead of what looks to be a stellar night of top-level action at York Hall on October 13th. You can follow all of the build-up on our twitter handle - @CyclonePromo; and/or our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/CyclonePromotions

TICKETS FOR A BUMPER NIGHT OF BOXING AT YORK HALL ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 13TH ARE NOW ON SALE – PRICED £40, £60 AND VIP INNER RINGSIDE AT £100 + BOOKING FEES, AND ARE AVAILABLE FROM WWW.TICKETMASTER.CO.UK OR CALL 0844 844 0444.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Other Quotes

LEE MCGREGOR: “I’m absolutely buzzing that this fight has been made. Not many fighters get to challenge for the Commonwealth title in their fifth fight, and I’m grateful to my team for having faith in me. I will leave no stone unturned in camp to make sure that the Commonwealth title is coming back to Edinburgh with me on October 13th.”

THOMAS ESSOMBA: “This is a quality fight. I’ve been following Lee’s career and believe he can go far, but I’m sparring like a possessed animal at the moment. This is a big opportunity for me, and I won’t be turning up to make up the numbers. I’m coming to win, and I know what it takes to become Commonwealth champion.”

BARRY MCGUIGAN: “What a fantastic night of action this should be for the fans. Martin Bakole vs. Michael Hunter could easily become a York Hall classic, and to see Lee McGregor challenging for the Commonwealth title so early in his career is amazing. The atmosphere at York Hall is always phenomenal, and I can’t wait for a top-quality show on October 13th.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is a really good fight to make. Hunter has done well as a heavyweight since moving up. He obviously wants to make some noise by beating Bakole, who isn't world-rated, but everyone knows he spars Joshua.

Headlines can read..

Hunter beats Joshua's sparring partner.

Anyway.. All in all, decent fight for HW.

[Ruthless-RKO]

On the Taylor-Postol card, Bakole weighed 270..

Let's home he get's back to his usual 240-250 pounds

[Tangerine]

Not a bad looking card so far from Cyclone.A decent commonwealth title fight between Lee Mcgregor and Thomas Essomba.Maybe just one more big fight on there would be nice.

Hunter did go the distance with Usyk but hes campaigned at Cruiserweight his entire career.Hunter actually impressed me against Usyk so if he can stand up to the heavier shots then we might get an interesting test for Bakolie.Ive only seen Bakolie fight once and to be honest I wasnt massively impressed by him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hunter did go the distance with Usyk but hes campaigned at Cruiserweight his entire career.Hunter actually impressed me against Usyk so if he can stand up to the heavier shots then we might get an interesting test for Bakolie.Ive only seen Bakolie fight once and to be honest I wasnt massively impressed by him.

The ref should have stopped the fight in the championship rounds. Hunter was finished. But like you said, he went the distance, he was allowed to.. He was dominated though.

I remember Bakole calling out Bellew. This was after Bellew beat his brother

[jamamb]

interesting fight, hunters an olympian who also beat iago on kiladze way easier then kownacki did and i think would easily beat all bakoles and dubois and gormans opponents so far

[lillywhite14]

Didn’t Hunter lose a hotly disputed decision to Fury back in the ams?

[KiwiRider]

This is a good step forward for Bakole. Hunter went the distance ( barely) with Usyk, so if Martin can make a statement here, maybe with a KO or TKO, it is a good career builder.
A lot of overseas prospect HW's wouldn't take this on in their 12th fight. Props and all the best to him.

[maverick23]

I really like the way Cyclone match fighters - they don’t mess around.

Taylor fighting Dave Ryan, Davies and Postol were all good fights at the perfect time.

Both the Bakole and McGregor fights are good here and fights I want to watch.

Other promotors should take note.

[Counter-puncher]

I really like the way Cyclone match fighters - they don’t mess around.

Taylor fighting Dave Ryan, Davies and Postol were all good fights at the perfect time.

Although of course you can argue the Cyxlone aggressive matchmaking with Taylor may well have been linked to the financial need to get Taylor world level ASAP as without Sky they wouldn't get big money otherwise. Who knows, if Bazza had been with Sky maybe Taylor would have gone along slow and steady. Frampton I suppose would be the obvious comparison, from memory he wasn't brought on at warp speed like Taylor or the Japanese kids, but not milking shite fights for years either.

[digzee]

Not a bad looking card so far from Cyclone.A decent commonwealth title fight between Lee Mcgregor and Thomas Essomba.Maybe just one more big fight on there would be nice.

Hunter did go the distance with Usyk but hes campaigned at Cruiserweight his entire career.Hunter actually impressed me against Usyk so if he can stand up to the heavier shots then we might get an interesting test for Bakolie.Ive only seen Bakolie fight once and to be honest I wasnt massively impressed by him.

Yeh I was impressed with Hunter against Usyk too, he gave Usyk problems in the mid rounds if I remember correctly and did better than Gassiev imo. Mcgregor is in a perfect step up considering he's only young. 1 more British level fight would be great but I doubt C5 care as they have those 2 fights and the Cameron fight to show and wont want to spend anymore.


Btw are you the poster on CHB who had Kalle Sauerland as your avi?

[Stuarty]

Decent card. Looking forward to seeing McGregor take Essomba apart! Hopefully see him take the British after the Commonwealth.

[Stuarty]

Fancy Bakole to stop Hunter late...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can Bakolo challenger for the Commonwealth belt?

[joshj909]

Can Bakolo challenger for the Commonwealth belt?

Doubt it as DR Congo isn't in the commonwealth. Perhaps through residence?

I know Takam has dual-nationality to be ranked by the EBU, but
Izu Ugonoh fights for regional belts in Asia/Pacific despite being born and raised in Poland up until a few years ago

If he was eligible for a UK passport i imagine he'd definitely be able to fight for Commonwealth or EBU but i don't think he's been living in Scotland for long enough.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can Bakolo challenger for the Commonwealth belt?

Doubt it as DR Congo isn't in the commonwealth. Perhaps through residence?

I know Takam has dual-nationality to be ranked by the EBU, but
Izu Ugonoh fights for regional belts in Asia/Pacific despite being born and raised in Poland up until a few years ago

If he was eligible for a UK passport i imagine he'd definitely be able to fight for Commonwealth or EBU but i don't think he's been living in Scotland for long enough.

Yeh makes sense. Now days though, anyone fights for any title. I think there was an American fighting for a Polish belt recently. Can't really remember.

Not sure how long Bakole has been resident in the UK..

[ElJefe]

Can Bakolo challenger for the Commonwealth belt?

Doubt it as DR Congo isn't in the commonwealth. Perhaps through residence?

I know Takam has dual-nationality to be ranked by the EBU, but
Izu Ugonoh fights for regional belts in Asia/Pacific despite being born and raised in Poland up until a few years ago

If he was eligible for a UK passport i imagine he'd definitely be able to fight for Commonwealth or EBU but i don't think he's been living in Scotland for long enough.

Yeh makes sense. Now days though, anyone fights for any title. I think there was an American fighting for a Polish belt recently. Can't really remember.

Not sure how long Bakole has been resident in the UK..

The American fighting for a Polish belt rang I bell so I had to find out who it was. Tomasz Adamek vs Joey Abell for the Republic of Poland International Heavyweight Title in April.

[handsofstone]

I know Hunter's a blown up Cruiserweight but on paper this is still a big step up for Bakole who has looked a beast but hasnt fought anyone of note, I was impressed with Hunter when he fought Usyk, not just his heart that he had to show in the 12th but his overall skills and combinations impressed, I had that fight even after 8, Hunter up at Heavyweight now and coming off a good stoppage win over Kiladze

I think Hunter's best chance of a win is staying out of danger and boxing Bakole but Bakole is a big strong hard hitting HW and I cant see Hunter being able to avoid a big shot over the distance, think Bakole will be too big and powerful and win via KO maybe coming from behind

[jamamb]

its an interesting fight

bakoles obviously naturally bigger and has some decent domestic wins, but reality is those guys are way off being remotely relevant beyond domestic level. i imagine hunter would handily beat everyone bakoles beat too. hunter in the ams actually stopped andy ruiz i think btw

i could see this playing out different ways, not totally sure what to expect because bakolies a bit of an unknown still past domestic level and not sure on how hunter fares vs a big guy like this

[candyslim]

Yeah I agree with that. I've gone for MBI by decision but not with any great confidence.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[TopGun]

Billy really rats Bakole, time will tell.

[Oiky]

Bakole stoppage

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’m tempted to watch this instead of Ritson if the 2 fights clash.