In an insightful conversation with Boxing Social, Billy Nelson, Martin Bakole’s trainer, spoke about the intense sparring sessions between Bakole and Tyson Fury. Billy also expresses excitement for Bakole’s upcoming fight with Carlos Takam, highlighting the struggles and disappointments faced when major fights fell through.
“Sometimes spars are like a fight out there. Oh, you’d pay good money to watch… Tyson Fury knows how good Martin Bakole is as well… he’s very appreciative of Martin’s help,” Nelson reveals, not just hinting at the intensity but also the mutual respect brewing between the ropes.
Fury vs Uysk & Ngannou: A Trainer’s Eye View
Nelson doesn’t shy away from projecting the outcomes of the much-talked-about fights involving Fury. When asked about the Fury vs. Ngannou showdown, he’s nothing if not confident about Fury’s chances:
“Everybody’s saying Ngannou can punch hard, but you have to land on something, you know, to hurt it. And I just don’t see him hitting Tyson at all. He’s too skilled; his IQ’s ferociously good. Gget them out just as quick as you can, don’t get injured, minimize the risk.”
Moving on to the Fury vs. Usyk fight, Nelson draws a comparison with Anthony Joshua’s strategy, or the lack thereof, against Usyk:
“Tyson’s IQ is phenomenal. Joshua didn’t use his feet, didn’t use movement, wasn’t throwing enough punches against Usyk. Martin Bakole knows how to handle Alexander Usyk. I mean it’s common knowledge he stopped him in sparring out over in Dubai. Tyson Fury is more than capable. I see everything that Joshua should have done, Fury will do.”
Bakole vs Takam
“We’re very, very busy over the next five weeks. I’ve got two, three, five, six boxers out in five weeks ranging from Saudi Arabia to Brighton, Glasgow, Belfast, and Bolton.”
Nelson is undoubtedly gearing up for some packed weeks with multiple boxers training and fighting under his guidance in various locations. With the ultimate goal: achieving respectable wins by the start of December.
“Martin Bakole takes on Carlos Takam on Saturday night. We’ve been knocking on the door for Martin to have important fights and win them.”
Nelson expresses his enthusiasm for Bakole’s upcoming fight. This important fight on a grand stage has been long-awaited, and Nelson is ecstatic about the prospects.
“I’m thrilled… to get on this big showing in Saudi Arabia because there was nothing in the pipeline at home and nothing foreseeable in the future.”
When it looked bleak with no fights on the horizon, an unexpected call changed their fate. The opportunity to fight a notable name like Takam, known for his past bouts against AJ, Joe Joyce, and Chisora, was an offer they couldn’t refuse.
“Is it hard at times when the phone isn’t ringing? It’s hard to be getting big fights… Of course, because you’re always aiming for greatness.”
“It’s a bit of a kick in the plums, you know what I mean? […] to be told, ‘oh you’re not fighting this month, you’re not fighting that month, and by the way, we don’t think you’re going to be fighting the remainder of the year,'” Nelson reflects on the tumultuous journey. The road hasn’t been easy, with promises of fights from July to November dissipating, leaving them grappling with uncertainty.
“You get despondent, so to get a phone call and ask you if you want to fight over in Saudi Arabia on a stage that we’re going to be fighting on was fantastic, and we jumped at a chance. We’re so, so happy,” he continues, the shift from frustration to elation clear as day.
Keeping morale high when opportunities keep slipping away is no small feat. But what keeps a fighter going in such turbulent times? Is it the promise of a good fight, the allure of the championship, or something more personal?
“When you’re struggling to stay patient for the big fights… it’s not necessarily for me, but for the athlete, the professional athlete. You know, he’s in boxing to earn a living for him and his family,” Nelson explains, bringing a stark reminder of the human aspect often forgotten in the spectacle of sports.
“It’s hard to be getting big fights. I was speaking to Martin there about sort of heart being difficult to keep patient. Did you find it difficult to keep patient when the big fights weren’t really coming? Well, of course, because you’re getting told… and nothing materialized,” he adds, emphasizing the emotional toll it takes on both trainer and athlete.
Full interview:
