Heavyweight boxer swallowed a wasp while fighting before KOing opponent on undercard of Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
31/10/2023 18:44
Tyson Fury’s performance against Francis Ngannou appeared to be the biggest shock of the weekend, but Martin Bakole might have topped it.
On the undercard of Fury vs Ngannou, which Fury won by controversial split decision after getting dropped, Bakole swallowed a wasp during his fight with Carlos Takam.
Yes, you read that right, a few rounds into the fight, Bakole says he swallowed a wasp, as he told IFL TV a day later: “I can’t believe it, I’m surprised.
“I’m still coughing until now. It stung me in the ring and I was surprised when it was in my mouth.”
Bakole then explained that it first stung him on the side of his face and then went in his mouth and so he swallowed it.
After saying he was OK, Bakole continued: “I was vomiting in my changing room, I kept vomiting and I think it’s still in there, but I think I’ll be OK.”
Asked by the interviewer whether he could feel it, Bakole replied: “I can feel it here,” pointing at his throat.
“I think if it continues I’ll go to the hospital, because I can’t keep coughing like this,” Bakole added.
The fighter from the Democratic Republic of Congo went on to win the fight by fourth-round stoppage.
Bakole is now on a nine-fight win streak, with his most recent and only defeat of his career coming in 2018 against Michael Hunter, as he continues to rise up the ranks in pursuit of a heavyweight world title shot.
