Daniel Dubois Warned Martin Bakole Could Beat Him

Martin Bakole can defeat Daniel Dubois, according to his head coach Billy Nelson, who discussed the heavyweight matchup with The Fight Wire. Nelson said Bakole plans to return early next year, but no opponent or date has been announced.

Billy Nelson on Daniel Dubois

Nelson said he still sees defensive weaknesses in Dubois, pointing to the first fight with Fabio Wardley and recalling that Bakole sparred with Dubois at the Peacock Gym several years ago.

Dubois most recently retained his WBO title with a second-round stoppage of Wardley in their rematch. He floored Wardley in the opening 17 seconds. In their first meeting, Dubois came through two knockdowns before stopping Wardley in the 11th round to become a two-time world champion.

Dubois lost his IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk by fifth-round stoppage in July 2025. He was also knocked down in his 2022 fight with Kevin Lerena.

Martin Bakole’s Recent Fights

Bakole has not fought since drawing with Efe Ajagba in May 2025. Before that, Joseph Parker stopped him in the second round. Bakole took that fight on around two days’ notice, according to the report.

Earlier, Bakole scored a fifth-round stoppage of Jared Anderson. Nelson’s comments frame Bakole as a potential threat to Dubois, though there is no confirmed fight between them. Bakole’s planned return is early next year.