Martin Bakole Ilunga is a Congolese professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division. Born on June 1, 1993, in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, he has built a reputation as a formidable fighter, known for his power and skill in the ring. Over the years, Bakole has faced some of the biggest names in the division, securing notable victories and enduring tough losses. He is also the younger brother of former cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu.
Martin Bakole Profile
| Name | Martin Bakole |
| Real Name | Martin Bakole Ilunga |
| Date of Birth | 1 June 1993 |
| Age | 32 years |
| Nationality | Congolese |
| Occupation | Boxer |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $1.5 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Bakole’s early years were heavily influenced by boxing, and he dedicated himself to the sport from a young age.
Career
Bakole turned professional on March 25, 2014, securing a second-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over Cecil Smith in South Africa. After an impressive 9–0 start, he claimed his first title, the IBO Continental heavyweight belt, with a first-round knockout of Ali Baghouz in 2017. He successfully defended the title with another first-round TKO against DL Jones in 2018.
His undefeated streak ended later that year when he lost to Michael Hunter via a tenth-round stoppage for the IBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title. Despite this setback, he bounced back by defeating Mariusz Wach in 2019 and later secured wins over Kevin Johnson and Ytalo Perea.
By 2024, Bakole had climbed to the number-one spot in the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight rankings. In August of that year, he defeated Jared Anderson by fifth-round TKO, winning the WBO International and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles. However, in February 2025, he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Joseph Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after stepping in as a last-minute replacement for Daniel Dubois.
Controversies
Bakole’s decision to accept the fight against Joseph Parker on just two days’ notice was met with criticism. Some questioned whether the risk was worth it, given the lack of preparation. Despite the loss, his manager, Billy Nelson, defended the decision, citing the financial benefits and the assurance of future fights, including an upcoming bout against Efe Ajagba.
Martin Bakole Social Media Handle
https://www.instagram.com/martin_bakole_/?hl=en
Personal Life
Bakole relocated to Greengairs, Scotland, in 2016, where he has been trained by Billy Nelson. In 2020, he welcomed his first child, a son named Martin Jr. Family remains a significant part of his motivation, as he is happily married to Dodie Kembia Bakole.
Martin Bakole Net Worth
Martin Bakole’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 Million.