Boxing

MARTIN BAKOLE was out digging ditches in a Congolese wasteland three days ago and now fights on the biggest boxing stage imaginable.The 6ft 6in, 20st powerhouse set up training camp with Billy Nelson in Airdrie, Scotland, 16 years ago but has his family and child back in Kinshasa.Martin Bakole is standing in for Daniel Dubois in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyBakole will take on Joseph ParkerCredit: GettyDespite having a USA fight scheduled for May, Bakole was enjoying himself — and building a shopping centre to be named in his honour.But when Daniel Dubois was pulled out of tonight’s IBF heavyweight world title defence against Joseph Parker on Thursday night, the 33-year-old put up his hand.Promoter Frank Warren had a couple of English heavyweights training nearby Dubai who would have been quicker to ship in and easier for Parker to agree to… and to beat.But credit to the fearless Kiwi, 33, for signing off on Bakole.READ MORE IN BOXINGThankfully for the British Boxing Board of Control medics — and their expensive scales — he does not need to make weight and did not arrive in time for last night’s preliminaries.Bakole is a big boy at the best of times, even when training in Greengairs or jetting around the world for sparring.But when he has treated himself to a rest or is wrestling with an injury, he really fills out.Before his October 2023 win over Carlos Takam here in Riyadh, Bakole was floored by a crippling back injury.Most read in BoxingBakole beat Jared Anderson in Los Angeles last yearCredit: GettyBakole has been helping construct a shopping centre in CongoThe shopping centre will be named in his honourHe has now flown out to Saudi Arabia on short notice for Saturday’s fightThe powerhouse has touched down and is ready to cause an upsetCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNelson hired him a live-in masseuse called Anna and — despite ballooning to 21st — he pulled off a brilliant win.Incredibly, one of the reasons he was a hit with the young Saudi crowd was his repeated thanks to Anna for her work.Frank Warren’s Commonwealth Gold medalist Lewis Williams builds to second pro fight | Contender Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis WilliamsThe young Muslim fans thought he was celebrating Allah and cheered furiously.If the videos of him helping with the construction are anything to go by, Bakole is injury free but not exactly fighting fit.A middle-aged-dad paunch poked out of his midriff as he waited to fly here. So do not be surprised if the roly-poly puncher bounces into the ring somewhere near 22st.Bakole’s odyssey to the Gulf of Aden has been so hasty that his Boxxer promoters and Sky Sports did not manage to reach him for a video interview to help plug the fight — and he was due to arrive here at 3am this morningThankfully, the loveable giant connected with fans on Insta and vowed to put Kinshasa back on the heavyweight boxing map — 51 years after Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s Rumble in the Jungle.The underdog said: “I will shock the world. A boxer is like a soldier… any time they ask you to go to war, be ready.”With his two best wins coming in America in August and the desert ten months earlier, Bakole is most famous among UK fight fans for being Anthony Joshua’s favourite sparring partner.AJ became richer and more famous with every camp while Bakole seemed to be largely avoided.Yet, before he went to Los Angeles to batter local favourite Jared Anderson last time out, he issued a warning: “For years I have been known as ‘the sparring partner’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I was happy to travel, happy to take little pay, happy to stay in a cheap place, happy to do as I am told.“But soon I will get my chance. And nobody will ever be able to call me just ‘a sparring partner again’.”Bakole is a sparring partner for Anthony JoshuaCredit: Instagram @martin_bakole_ FollowHe has also sparred with Tyson FuryCredit: instagramOleksandr Usyk has felt the force of his punch tooCredit: x More

A BOXER has gone on trial accused of murder after allegedly killing a florist with a single punch over a photo of a bunch of flowers. Kivanc Sensoz, 32, got into an altercation with Esref Yunus Yildirici, 29, in October 2024.Florist Esref Yunus Yildirici was killed in OctoberCredit: NF/newsXIt is said Sensoz got angry when a picture of his floral designer wife’s work was shared on social media.The boxer is alleged to have stormed into Yildirici’s store in Antalya, Turkey.Prosecutors say he shouted: “why are you stealing my wife’s work?”Distressing CCTV footage then appears to show Sensoz attacking the florist, who tried to make peace with the athlete.READ MORE SPORT NEWSHowever, Sensoz unleashed the unprovoked lethal punch with his right hand to Yildirici’s head, sending him crashing to the concrete floor in disturbing scenes. Sensoz then kicked his unconscious victim three times before connecting with more punches as Yildirici lay on the floor. The victim’s uncle Ali Okur then dragged Sensoz away and tussled with the shaven-headed boxer.Women can be heard screaming out of shot from the CCTV camera.Most read in BoxingLater footage allegedly shows the accused killer cradling Yildirici’s head and saying: “What have I done, God damn me.”Yildirici was taken to Kepez State Hospital but died seven days later in intensive care following a shattered skull and brain haemorrhage, according to medical records. The feud was triggered when Yildirici’s sister allegedly posted the snap of a bouquet created by Sensoz’s wife Dara.Sensoz appeared to take matters into his own hands to settle the row and confronted the rival florists. Yildirici’s family called on Turkey’s High Criminal Court to find Sensoz guilty and give him a whole-life sentence behind bars. His crying dad Muhammed said: “I want this defendant to take the heaviest punishment. “My baby should be home now, not under the ground.”Mum Aysun added: “He broke up our family. He killed my young son. READ MORE SUN STORIES”He took my son away from life in the spring of his youth.”The case continues but was adjourned so Sensoz’s phone records could be entered as evidence. Sensoz appears to cradle the unconscious victim’s headCredit: NF/newsXYildirici’s family called on the accused murderer to be handed a whole-life prison sentenceCredit: NF/newsX More

MARTIN BAKOLE is confident he will “shock the world” when he faces Joseph Parker after Daniel Dubois’ withdrawal.Dubois, 27, was forced to pull out of his IBF world heavyweight title defence due to illness on Thursday – just two days before his hotly-anticipated fight in Saudi Arabia.Martin Bakole is confident he will ‘shock the world’ when he faces Joseph ParkerCredit: Instagram / @martin_bakole_Bakole replaced Daniel Dubois as Parker’s opponentCredit: GettyParker, 33, will now fight the Londoner’s replacement Bakole, 31, on Saturday, as the co-feature main event before Artur Beterbiev’s rematch with Dmitry Bivol.The Congolese boxer shared a message for his fans ahead of the last-minute fight.The Scotland-based fighter issued a clip on Instagram showing him waiting at the airport where he was scheduled to catch his flight to Saudi Arabia.And the heavyweight said he believes he will stun the boxing world in the weekend.Read More on BoxingBakole said: “This is it, this is unbelievable. It looks like I’m dreaming. But I’m not dreaming.”I think I’ll shock the world tomorrow. I’m a boxer, a boxer is like a soldier.”Any time they ask you to go to war, always be ready. Thank you so much.”Bakole could be forgiven for arriving for his fight against Parker in less than optimal shape after agreeing to compete less than 48 hours before the event.Most read in BoxingThe boxer stands at 6ft 5in and weighed in at 284.4lbs (20st) when he picked up his most famous victory over Jared Anderson in August. According to The Mail, Bakole might now weigh at over 300lbs (21st) on Saturday night.British heavyweight Martin Bakole shows his power in the training ring Parker’s new opponent boasts a stunning record of 21-1, with his only loss taking place seven years ago against Michael Hunter, and another notable win over Carlos Takam.The Aukland fighter, on the other hand, will also be entering the ring with a dominant record of 35-3, with major victories over Deontay Wilder, Derek Chisora and most recently Zhilei Zhang. More

FANS have hailed Joseph Parker for his brilliant reaction to finding out he will fight Martin Bakole.The New Zealander was set to have a shot at the IBF world heavyweight title on a blockbuster Saturday night card in Riyadh.Joseph Parker has been praised for his brilliant reaction to finding out Daniel Dubois’ replacementCredit: IFL TVParker will come up against Martin Bakole on Saturday nightCredit: GettyBut opponent Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw through illness just 48 hours before he was due in the ring.The Brit was deemed medically unfit to compete by doctors and 6ft 6in giant Bakole steps in as his replacement at late notice.Parker found out the news straight after his press conference last night, with his instant reaction captured by IFL TV.The 33-year-old smiled in excitement and shouted: “Ooooh, let’s go.”READ MORE IN BOXINGFans praised Parker’s willingness to take anybody on as one commented: “This is why everyone loves Joseph.”Another added: “Just shows what an absolute credit to the sport Parker is.”A third wrote: “A stone cold legend for taking on Bakole at two days notice.”Parker was relaxed about the situation, saying: “Listen, it is all part of boxing and part of the journey. One opportunity goes away, another one comes. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I am fighting Martin Bakole who has been waiting for a big fight. Let’s get it on.”Bakole is the most avoided heavyweight, but I love to challenge myself.Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol come together before huge heavyweight showdown”We sat down with Turki [Alalshikh] and we welcomed anyone. “We have got Bakole, which is great. He is a beast, so let’s get ready.”Hopefully we can revisit this [Dubois] fight because I want to be champion of the world.”Bakole’s promoter Ben Shalom told DAZN: “He is 100 per cent into this fight, he wanted it, there was no standing in the way of this. “On Saturday night he wants to shock the world and he is coming to win. Trust me, Martin is ready to go.”This has come from him and him only, he wants this and is ready to go.”For me, Joseph Parker is the fittest heavyweight out there. So, over 12 rounds it could be tough with Martin coming in at two days’ notice.”But if Martin can pull this off he puts himself he announces himself at the very top of the division.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Everyone has taken a big risk in making this fight happen – Martin, Joseph, His Excellency – so everyone needs to take a lot of credit.”But it is a phenomenal fight and everyone should be very excited about it.” More

ZHILEI ZHANG has revealed he thought he was going to die after almost passing out in the dressing room.The Chinese heavyweight, 41, is set to fight Agit Kabayel on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.Zhilei Zhang has opened up on the time he almost diedCredit: GettyZhang was rushed to hospital following his fight with Jerry Forrest in 2021Credit: .Zhang has a record of 27-2-1 (wins-losses-draws) after beating Deontay Wilder in his last fight in June.But the 6ft 6in southpaw has opened up on when he felt like he was “dying” in his locker room.In 2021, Big Bang started better than his rival Jerry Forrest, decking him in rounds one, two, and three in Miami.However, plucky Forrest managed to power through the assault before the tables began to turn as Zhang’s stamina waned.READ MORE IN BOXINGWhen the final bell went, Zhang was spared the ignominy of defeat by slugging out a majority draw, with the other judge ruling in Forrest’s favour.Speaking about that fight, Zhang revealed that from round five he felt like his body was “cut off” and even blacked out before being rushed to hospital after his condition worsened in the dressing room.He told the Daily Mail: “In the locker room after the fight, I felt like I was dying. I didn’t know if my life would stop at that moment. That’s how serious it was.”But in the fifth round, I felt like my body was cut off. Something wasn’t right. In the last couple rounds, I didn’t know what happened. I lost my memory. I blacked out.Most read in Boxing”I really thought it was the end of not just my career but my life.”Then the doctors told me it was acute, which means it was reversible. I stayed in the hospital for four days. After that, my body felt normal again. Zhilei Zhang reveals shooting GUNS makes him a better boxer”I told my team, in a Chinese phrase, ‘This is putting the tiger back in the wild’.”Zhang’s team called an ambulance following the fight, with an unnerving diagnosis to follow; acute kidney failure and dangerously high liver function levels.That fight changed the way Zhang looked at nutrition.He said: “I ate what I wanted, I drank what I wanted. There was no plan.”After that fight, I hired a nutritionist. I started following a real diet. Now, I feel better than ever.”The year of that fight also saw Zhang experience the “lowest moment” of his life and he pondered quitting boxing, though it was a decision which had nothing to do with fighting.Zhang had returned to China in 2021 to attend his mother’s funeral but had ended up being stuck in limbo after finding out his US visa had been put on hold.It led to him being stuck in China for six months and unsure if he would ever return.He said: “I had just lost my mother, and now I was stuck, unable to be with my family, unable to continue my career.”That was the closest I ever came to quitting. I was ready to tell my team, sell my car, get rid of my house. I can’t come back.”That was the lowest moment of my life.”Then by some stroke of luck, his visa application finally came through.He said: “I was ready to put a tag on my car at the dealer. Then I got the call. I told my team, get my car back— I’m coming back.”READ MORE SUN STORIESZhang has the chance to win the interim WBC heavyweight title tomorrow.He previously held the interim WBO heavyweight title from 2023 to 24.Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Start time, TV channel, full card – everything you need to know for MASSIVE Saudi rematch More