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Boxing

British heavyweight names surprising fighter to defeat Oleksandr Usyk

British heavyweight names surprising fighter to defeat Oleksandr UsykBruno de Carvalho/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
He came out with a leftfield suggestion.

Dave Allen believes that Martin Bakole could be the man to end Oleksandr Usyk’s unbeaten run.

Usyk became the first ever undisputed champion of the four-belt era in May, when he defeated Tyson Fury by split decision.

He has since given up the IBF strap to Daniel Dubois - who defends it on September 21 against Anthony Joshua, live on DAZN - but will rematch Fury in December.

Bakole last fought at the weekend, making an impressive USA debut with a stoppage against the promising Jared Anderson. 

After that victory, Bakole mentioned Usyk as one of the big names he wanted to fight next, but for now Usyk has eyes for Fury alone.

Allen has experience with both Bakole and Usyk in sparring, and he believes the Congolese fighter is the man who could threaten Usyk’s record.

"He is so relaxed, when I sparred him and did the rounds, I couldn't believe a man of that size could put six or seven shots together as well as he did," Allen said to Boxing Social .

"I've sparred everyone, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk. but none of them put together shots like he did.

"I have never been [hit] by so many different shots, one or two hooks, he's seriously going to take some beating.

"There is no doubt in my mind, Usyk just can't beat him, he beats Usyk I have no doubt.

"He is just way too big and he is just all wrong for him. I can only see Zhilei Zhang giving him trouble.

"Fury and Anthony Joshua too, no-one else has any chance with him."

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