The IBF has commenced with ordering Congolese heavyweight contender, Martin Bakole, to face Chinese contender Zhilei Zhang after German heavyweight Agit Kabayel withdrew from a scheduled purse bid last week. As a consequence, a new round of negotiations will follow, pointing towards early 2025 as a potential date for Bakole and Zhang to meet in the ring.
Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KO’s) is currently rated at #5 on the IBF’s heavyweight (200+ lbs) rankings, one spot below Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KO’s) who is ranked at #4. As of the latest update, Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KO’s) occupies the #3 position while the #1 and #2 spots are vacant.
According to Bakole’s trainer Billy Nelson, the IBF has opted to order Bakole to face the next highest-ranked contender in Zhang:
“Zhang v Bakole just been called for by IBF in a final eliminator.” Nelson posted on Twitter/X on Friday, November 15.
Just as the previous-ordered Bakole-Kabayel fight, the IBF’s recent mandate places both Bakole and Zhang in a final eliminator to decide the next IBF mandatory challenger for IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KO’s).
The reputation of both fighters as dangerous punchers and top contenders makes for an intriguing match-up quite rare amongst the average IBF mandate which often pits unheralded or unknown contenders in final eliminator. The most recent example includes the IBF pinpointing mandatories in the light-heavyweight (175 lbs) and cruiserweight (200 lbs) divisions for respectively Russian-Canadian undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KO’s) and Australian IBF champion Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KO’s).
Notably, Zhilei Zhang is 41-years old, nearly a decade older than the 32-year old Martin Bakole, but the Chinese powerhouse has proved well-capable of cultivating a style that makes full use of his power―presenting plenty of difficulties for Bakole to overcome.
A negotiation period has now been set between the two fighters’ parties whereafter a purse bid ceremony will start if an agreement is not reached. Bakole is currently represented by British promotion Boxxer, while Zhang is still under contract with Queensberry Promotions. With roughly 30 days designated for negotiation periods and a purse bid expected to be scheduled for mid- or late December, the potential Bakole-Zhang clash appears poised to be held in the early months of 2025 next year.
