Cyclone Promotions: Martin Bakole vs Michael Hunter

Cyclone Promotions: Martin Bakole vs Michael Hunter

By Henry Walter 

On Saturday night a very intriguing bout between undefeated heavyweight contender Martin Bakole, 11-0 (8 KOs), and former cruiserweight world title challenger Michael Hunter, 14-1 (9 KOs), will take place at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.

The bout will be shown live on Channel Five in the U.K. and will feature two fighters hungry to progress their careers. Bakole carries royal blood, as he is the son of the ruler of the Kananga Province in the Congo, and on Saturday he will look to begin his path to becoming boxing royalty.

Now based in Scotland, Bakole has struggled to get fights due to his size, power and growing reputation. Bakole stands at six feet, six inches tall and has admirable speed and movement for such a big man. His professional career has seen him beat all eleven of his opponents with seeming ease. His last two opponents both failed to make it through the first round.

Bakole has been regularly sparring with reigning World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua and rumours abound that the sessions have been extremely competitive with neither claiming a significant edge.

Bakole’s trainer, Billy Nelson, claims that several highly rated heavyweights have turned down offers to fight Bakole and he was delighted when Michael Hunter accepted the fight from America.

Hunter resides in LA and is an exceptional talent. A former Olympian, Hunter also won the Golden Gloves during a stellar amateur career. After turning professional in 2013, Hunter gradually moved to 12-0, impressing critics with his speed and boxing skill.

Hunter faced a mammoth task in just his thirteenth professional fight when he challenged the World Cruiserweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk. Hunter took several of the opening rounds, shocking many with the strength of his performance. Usyk eventually used his formidable boxing knowledge to gradually take over and by the end of the twelve rounds he was the clear winner.

However Hunter’s performance earned him a lot of credit and since the loss he has rebounded with two solid wins, beating the decent contender Iago Kiladze last time out by KO.

Hunter is very slick, has a good boxing brain and decent power. He certainly has the skill and experience to give Bakole a lot of problems.

The fight is a genuine 50-50 contest and it will be fascinating to see which man comes out on top. The winner will advance to the outskirts of the top of the division and it is a huge opportunity for both.

They are two very skilful fighters and both can punch but Hunter’s big fight experience, amateur pedigree and slightly longer professional career should give him enough of an edge to sneak a points victory.

An decent undercard features IBO Lightweight Champion Chantelle Cameron, 7-0 (5 KOs) facing Dahiana Santana, 36-9 (15 KOs). Cameron’s boxing ability should allow her to overcome Santana but she will likely have to settle for a points win.

Also on the bill, Undefeated cruiserweight prospect Chris Billam Smith, 6-0 (5 KOs), should see off fringe prospect Robin Dupre, 13-1 (1 KO), inside the distance.

Lee McGregor, 4-0 (4 KOs), will take on Thomas Essomba, 8-4 (3 KOs) and should also manage a stoppage in his toughest test to date.