Potential Anthony Joshua opponent emerging in Africa

Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has expressed interest in fighting outside of the United Kingdom, where he’s punched his way to a 21-0 record with 20 knockouts. If Africa is on his wishlist, there’s already a budding star primed to join Joshua in the ring.

Martin Bakole, 26, from the Democratic Republic Of The Congo has an unblemished 11-0 record with eight knockouts, and his trainer Billy Nelson says Bakole will be ready when/if Joshua, whom he's sparred with in the past, decides to trek into Africa.

"AJ has always stated that he wants to fight in Africa so why not, in a year's time, take on Martin, the continent's No. 1 heavyweight," Nelson told Sky Sports . "It won't be long before Martin is at that level. He has the skills and ability to take on 'AJ' now, but in 12 months when he has greater experience and more rounds in the bank, which is required, it's a fantastic fight.

"A fight in Nigeria, where Anthony's family come from, what a fight it would be. It would be a proper, proper, fight. Stranger things have certainly happened in boxing."

As it stands, bouts with Alexander Povetkin and Deontay Wilder seem to be next on Joshua’s schedule. But as the holder of the  WBO, IBF, IBO and WBA belts, Joshua has no shortage of fighters looking to take a share of the heavyweight spotlight.