Martin Bakole returned after an 11-month layoff to crush the ‘Hulk’ Ihor Shevadzutskyi in three punishing rounds for the Ukrainian.

Bakole, who claims to have stopped both Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois during sparring, is in the hunt for a crack at one of the world heavyweight champions.

But he has struggled for activity and this was only his fourth fight in three and a half years and his first since May 2022.

That was a creditable majority decision against the previously undefeated Tony Yoka in May last year and he has been craving a big fight ever since.

This, against little-known 10-0 Shevadzutskyi, in the G2A Arena, Poland was not exactly that but Bakole handled business in style to cement his status as a genuine player in the heavyweight division.

Despite 11 months away from action, there was little sign of ring rust here despite a patient first round, working on the outside, allowing Shevadzutskyi to shuffle in behind a high guard before attempting to pick him off.

But Bakole turned up the heat in the second round and crashed home an early left hook, right hand combination. The Ukrainian definitely felt it but held it well. However the self-styled Ukrainian ’Hulk’ was on his back moments later when Bakole landed with a right uppercut followed by a scything left hook.

It was incredible that he managed to last the rest of the round with Bakole, ‘The Next King of Scotland’, laying siege to his opponent with countless heavy shots to both head and body.

Shevadzutsyki somehow made it to the end of the round without touching down again although one particular left hook had him on wobbly legs again. However, Bakole closed the show just 45 seconds into the third with the contest descending into target practice for the DR Congo man.

There was a brief moment of appeal from Hulk, who was on his feet but shipping heavy punishment, when Robert Gortat waved it off but he quickly accepted the decision. He could have few arguments.

Job done for Bakole who can now look forward to moving onwards and upwards.

"I’m so happy. I told you this is just a step. I knew he was a tough guy but I knew he was too slow," Bakole said.

"Of course I made a big statement, this guy has never been stopped before. I;’m looking for the big names now. I always mention them but they never mention me back.

"I want Dillian Whyte, Daniel Dubois, Usyk, Joe Joyce. I’m calling them out because I know I stop them.

"Yes, 100 percent if it doesn’t happen with Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk, I am No,2 with the WBO I will step in for that."