News round-up; Bakole, Okolie, Charlo, Matias

ANOTHER intriguing heavyweight matchup could have implications for Daniel Dubois.

The IBF have called for a final eliminator between Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel with the winner becoming mandatory champion for their champion Dubois.

Bakole turned in a career best performance in August knocking out American hope Jared Anderson in five rounds. Kabayel, meanwhile, has emerged as a top 10 contender after wins against Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez, respectively.

Dubois, who defeated Anthony Joshua in impressive fashion last month, could face ‘AJ’ once again if a rematch can be agreed.

LAWRENCE OKOLIE looks set to finally move up to the heavyweight division after vacating his WBC bridgerweight title.

The 31-year-old made a successful pit stop at the weight class, established in 2020, demolishing the overmatched Lukasz Rozanski in one round five months ago. Okolie, who held the WBO cruiserweight title between March 2021 and May 2023, has often spoke about his desire to join the sport’s most glamorous and historic weight class. The Londoner has requested a rating in the top five of the WBC’s heavyweight rankings.

South Africa’s Kevin Lerena, the WBC bridgerweight interim belt holder, is now elevated to full title status.

COULD former WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo be about to return to the ring?

The 34-year-old has been out of action since a 10-round unanimous decision win over Jose Benavidez Jr in November 2023.

However, ‘Hit Man’ Charlo posted a video of himself on social media shadow boxing with the caption ‘The Grind Don’t Stop. Trust me. LionsOnly Dec 14^th Houston TX. That date and city would put Charlo on to the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach at the Toyota Centre in Houston. The same venue that saw Charlo make the final defence of his 160lbs title against Juan Macias Montiel in June 2021.

SUBRIEL MATIAS will look to get back to winning aways and knocking out opponents on November 9 in Puerto Rico.

The 32-year-old saw his reign as IBF super-lightweight champion come to an end in June this year when Liam Paro beat Matias on points. Matias now has two defeats on his record but the heavy handed Puerto Rican still has 20 wins with all 20 coming inside the distance.

Matias will face Roberto Ramirez – who was knocked out in five rounds against William Zepeda in 2020 – in the 10-round main event at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.