Martin Bakole has publicly accused promoter Ben Shalom of “trying to ruin my career,” as a dispute over his promotional status threatens to stall his return to the ring.
Bakole, who signed a long-term deal with Boxxer in 2023, insists he is now a free agent and being blocked from fighting. “I am ready to fight anytime but one man is trying to ruin my career: Ben Shalom,” he wrote on social media, claiming his lawyer confirmed his contract has expired. He further alleged that Shalom has been “sending crazy emails to everyone blocking me from fighting and earning a living,” and warned he would not “pay that man another cent.”
The dispute comes after Italy’s Guido Vianello claimed Bakole withdrew at the last moment from a planned bout on the May 23 Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven undercard in Egypt. That statement prompted Bakole to break his silence, framing the situation as a contractual blockage rather than a voluntary withdrawal.
Boxxer quickly responded, rejecting Bakole’s claims and maintaining that he remains under contract. In an official statement, the company said it had “delivered major fights and secured career-high purses” for Bakole, while also suggesting his inactivity was due to being “unavailable for or declined” opportunities, including several high-profile bouts over the past year.