Martin Bakole vs. Agit Kabayel - IBF Ordered

[joshj909]

I was hoping for Bakole vs Zhang. That would have been quite something. I think Bakole beats Kabayel.

I do think Bakole vs Zhang is a guaranteed blockbuster between two hard hitting behemoths while Parker vs Kabayel would be a matchup between two of the faster heavyweights in the division. It also would have avoided the unnecessary Parker vs Zhang 2 rematch that nobody wants.

[KiwiRider]

I'm going with Kabayel, late stoppage over an exhausted Bakole.

Bakole exposed Anderson, but I think it was only a matter of time before someone did that. Anderson's lean back style of avoiding punches left himself open for a guy with Bakole's size. He really looks like a man mountain nowadays but to get to that weight and size, surely he must be skipping some form of cardio training? Or he might just be one of those huge guys who feels comfortable at that weight and can plant his feet without expending too much energy.
I think in his 2 most recent wins, Anderson and Takam (300lbs ) it was telling in what was coming back at him. The only time he looked uncomfortable was when he was pushed up against the ropes by Takam and trying to fight on the inside. He started yelling 'aaaah!' when throwing his shots which to me (I might be wrong) is a sign of someone tiring a bit.

This might play in to Kabayel's style of fighting as he's a very good in-fighter and great to see a heavyweight who throws in bodyshots with the majority of their combos. He exposed Big Mak and took the fight out of Sanchez, although Frank looks like an 'on top fighter', who doesn't fancy it when pressured with things not going his way.
Kabayel was hurt badly against Smakici, but rallied back to wear him down. He doesn't appear to be a big puncher but overwhelms opponents with his pressure, ouput and body shots. If he can avoid Bakole's long punches for the first few rounds, force the pace and push Bakole back to the ropes for an inside fight, I think the weight Bakole now carries will result in him ending up exhausted and stopped late on.

Good post.
I would add that Bakole telegraphs his big shots, and fighters who are experienced and quicker than him can see them coming.
And if Kabayel is careful enough to avoid the big shots and makes Bakole work from the opening bell, I can fully see your prediction of Kabayel out pointing an exhausted Bakole.

[big lennox]

I was hoping for Bakole vs Zhang. That would have been quite something. I think Bakole beats Kabayel.

I do think Bakole vs Zhang is a guaranteed blockbuster between two hard hitting behemoths while Parker vs Kabayel would be a matchup between two of the faster heavyweights in the division. It also would have avoided the unnecessary Parker vs Zhang 2 rematch that nobody wants.

Agree with all of this.

[SeanBrennan]

They've both been in the who needs em club and avoided, I think both can win versions of the belt after the fully fragment. The way Kabayel beat Makh was really impressive.

[billy nelson]

Bakole heavy hands could catch him early but as the fight progresses past mid way then I think MB will start to gas and AK dropping in those body shots he will stop him .

MB at 280lbs plus is foolish

Bakole will gas’s lol good luck with that one mate
Bakole by stoppage

[billy nelson]

I was thinking that. He's much better than some think and Bakolie isn't as good as some think.

It would be interesting to see what approach Kabayel takes. The last time Bakole fought a smaller and faster man who was actually skilled he lost. I think I only saw the highlights of his fight against Hunter but I guess if you can avoid the pressure and the big shots you can outpoint him?

I think Bakole is lazy and has low work rate. Agit has a good work rate. I’m going for him

James Martin throw 147 punches in a round against Yoka, where in gods world do you and you uneducated eye see a low work rate

[maverick23]

Is Martin still with Shalom Billy? Hopefully we don’t have long to wait before he’s next out.

[margaret thatcher]

classic billy lol

[Coco]

Is Martin still with Shalom Billy? Hopefully we don’t have long to wait before he’s next out.

Prob needs a warm up first

[Coco]

I was hoping for Bakole vs Zhang. That would have been quite something. I think Bakole beats Kabayel.

I do think Bakole vs Zhang is a guaranteed blockbuster between two hard hitting behemoths while Parker vs Kabayel would be a matchup between two of the faster heavyweights in the division. It also would have avoided the unnecessary Parker vs Zhang 2 rematch that nobody wants.

Agree with all of this.

Zhang v Bakole would be a great fight

[THEBUTCH]

It seems more recently in the heavyweight division that more boxers are earning there title shots now. I think this is in no small part due to Don King's grip on the sport disappearing

If we could just ease up on the constant rematches then the backlog of contenders would get their title crack and keep the world championship fresh.

I also think a world champion who takes on all-comers is judged better historically.

[mickey1975]

It seems more recently in the heavyweight division that more boxers are earning there title shots now. I think this is in no small part due to Don King's grip on the sport disappearing

If we could just ease up on the constant rematches then the backlog of contenders would get their title crack and keep the world championship fresh.

I also think a world champion who takes on all-comers is judged better historically.

Aj not being a champion for years has helped. Signing Ortiz just to keep him away from AJ was very much like a King trick. Keeping him away from his two biggest rivals whilst fighting the likes of Takam, too.

[margaret thatcher]

ya instead of fighting fury or wilder, aj fought the best guy in the division. unified vs a guy who shutout wilder too.

ortiz, lol he made so much noise then ran when actually offered

[maverick23]

It seems more recently in the heavyweight division that more boxers are earning there title shots now. I think this is in no small part due to Don King's grip on the sport disappearing

If we could just ease up on the constant rematches then the backlog of contenders would get their title crack and keep the world championship fresh.

I also think a world champion who takes on all-comers is judged better historically.

Aj not being a champion for years has helped. Signing Ortiz just to keep him away from AJ was very much like a King trick. Keeping him away from his two biggest rivals whilst fighting the likes of Takam, too.

Takam was a last minute replacement for Pulev who was IBf mandatory. Takam counted as the mandatory.

Ortiz was probably signed by Matchroom to actually build to a fight with AJ but he had an awful fight against Malik Scott and wasn’t particularly impressive against Allen either. Made it a fairly high risk, low reward fight.

[margaret thatcher]

ortiz's team admitted he was offered a title shot and rejected it. his own trainer went on a podcast and was dumbfounded about it being turned down. he hasnt been involved in any of the recent hot hw fights either and has fought loads of cans in his time. maybe he it has something to do with him .......

[maverick23]

ortiz's team admitted he was offered a title shot and rejected it. his own trainer went on a podcast and was dumbfounded about it being turned down. he hasnt been involved in any of the recent hot hw fights either and has fought loads of cans in his time. maybe he it has something to do with him .......

Yeah. He’s had a really strange career. As you say his own team came out and said the AJ fight was turned down. Reports vary that the offer was between $5m and $7m. I’d imagine that’s far more than he’s ever earned for a fight.

[THEBUTCH]

I have to say that I don't believe AJ is the problem when it comes to avoiding challenges. He won't please everyone, but he has a decent record for taking on reasonable opposition.

[billy nelson]

I fancy Agit

I was thinking that. He's much better than some think and Bakolie isn't as good as some think.

It would be interesting to see what approach Kabayel takes. The last time Bakole fought a smaller and faster man who was actually skilled he lost. I think I only saw the highlights of his fight against Hunter but I guess if you can avoid the pressure and the big shots you can outpoint him?

I’m sure Takam was smaller, stopped in 4
Let go of the hunter loss Martin shouldn’t have even been in the ring lol

[joshj909]

I was thinking that. He's much better than some think and Bakolie isn't as good as some think.

It would be interesting to see what approach Kabayel takes. The last time Bakole fought a smaller and faster man who was actually skilled he lost. I think I only saw the highlights of his fight against Hunter but I guess if you can avoid the pressure and the big shots you can outpoint him?

I’m sure Takam was smaller, stopped in 4
Let go of the hunter loss Martin shouldn’t have even been in the ring lol

Takam isn't as fast as Hunter or Kabayel though. This wasn't a post to discredit Bakole, just explore possibilities of how the fight will go, and if you'd read my other posts about this fight you'd see that I think he'll win it. You're just being sensitive.

[margaret thatcher]

billy being sensitive, what else is new

good luck to martin though, he looked a beast last time

[Ruthless-RKO]

Purse bids ordered for Martin Bakole-Agit Kabayel for November 5

[jameswilson]

Purse bids ordered for Martin Bakole-Agit Kabayel for November 5

Love the fight.

Hopefully Riyadh season are all over it.

[keithmoonhangover]

I wonder why there was never a Hunter rematch.

[JamesPhilips]

I was thinking that. He's much better than some think and Bakolie isn't as good as some think.

It would be interesting to see what approach Kabayel takes. The last time Bakole fought a smaller and faster man who was actually skilled he lost. I think I only saw the highlights of his fight against Hunter but I guess if you can avoid the pressure and the big shots you can outpoint him?

I’m sure Takam was smaller, stopped in 4
Let go of the hunter loss Martin shouldn’t have even been in the ring lol

So why did you let him get in the ring?

[JamesPhilips]

It would be interesting to see what approach Kabayel takes. The last time Bakole fought a smaller and faster man who was actually skilled he lost. I think I only saw the highlights of his fight against Hunter but I guess if you can avoid the pressure and the big shots you can outpoint him?

I think Bakole is lazy and has low work rate. Agit has a good work rate. I’m going for him

James Martin throw 147 punches in a round against Yoka, where in gods world do you and you uneducated eye see a low work rate

And still only scraped a MD. And that’s one round out of 84 career rounds. What’s the mean average of punches per round? How many punchers did he throw against Michael Hunter?

BTW I like Martin a lot - he’s tough, a big puncher and very likeable. But trying to portray him as a high work rate fighter because of one round (also - source?) is disingenuous. He’s your fighter and your only hope of making money out of boxing we know, so you’re gonna back him. But I’m not the only one who suggests he can be lazy in there. Good luck to him BTW