Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole | PPV - 22 February 2025

[johninmanchester]

You would think guys like Joshua and even Efe will think they can just bomb straight through him now. The aura is gone.

But hey, Parker came back from being swatted by Joyce. All it takes is a few wins.

Ironically, Parker was signed to Boxxer when he lost to Joyce and has now gone on to derail the Boxxer heavyweight prospect. He's a jinx for them it seems.

[Ruthless-RKO]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17QZeU ... tid=wwXIfr

[KiwiRider]

I'd still like to see Bakole in a big matchup with a full training camp. Don’t think he's amazing by any stretch, but certainly a lot better than he looked last night and with the power to cause an upset, plus he's quite entertaining to watch if you enjoy sluggers, as I do.

A full training camp wouldn't have made any difference last night against Parker.
Bakole wasn't even puffing when he was dispatched. Parker could have picked away at him for 12 rounds easily staying out of range just due to being way quicker on his feet.
There is a place for fun Bakole fights (I enjoy a banger too) but not at that level.

[Jimmy2025]

I'd still like to see Bakole in a big matchup with a full training camp. Don’t think he's amazing by any stretch, but certainly a lot better than he looked last night and with the power to cause an upset, plus he's quite entertaining to watch if you enjoy sluggers, as I do.

A full training camp wouldn't have made any difference last night against Parker.
Bakole wasn't even puffing when he was dispatched. Parker could have picked away at him for 12 rounds easily staying out of range just due to being way quicker on his feet.
There is a place for fun Bakole fights (I enjoy a banger too) but not at that level.

Devil's Advocate here. Bakole may have been given the advice that because he wasn't fit he should throw caution to the wind and try and catch Joe in the first four rounds?

[KiwiRider]

I'd still like to see Bakole in a big matchup with a full training camp. Don’t think he's amazing by any stretch, but certainly a lot better than he looked last night and with the power to cause an upset, plus he's quite entertaining to watch if you enjoy sluggers, as I do.

A full training camp wouldn't have made any difference last night against Parker.
Bakole wasn't even puffing when he was dispatched. Parker could have picked away at him for 12 rounds easily staying out of range just due to being way quicker on his feet.
There is a place for fun Bakole fights (I enjoy a banger too) but not at that level.

Devil's Advocate here. Bakole may have been given the advice that because he wasn't fit he should throw caution to the wind and try and catch Joe in the first four rounds?

Yeah, that would be a good plan given how fat he was. But he was catching a lot of air, and that's why I feel he would not have a chance even with a full camp.
If you get that out of shape between fights, the level Parker/Dubois/Kayabel are on is simply not obtainable.

[Jimmy2025]

A full training camp wouldn't have made any difference last night against Parker.
Bakole wasn't even puffing when he was dispatched. Parker could have picked away at him for 12 rounds easily staying out of range just due to being way quicker on his feet.
There is a place for fun Bakole fights (I enjoy a banger too) but not at that level.

Devil's Advocate here. Bakole may have been given the advice that because he wasn't fit he should throw caution to the wind and try and catch Joe in the first four rounds?

Yeah, that would be a good plan given how fat he was. But he was catching a lot of air, and that's why I feel he would not have a chance even with a full camp.
If you get that out of shape between fights, the level Parker/Dubois/Kayabel are on is simply not obtainable.

I agree.

[Twinkle Toes]

This mess of a fight was not a good luck for the heavyweight scene.

[Controversial]

No one should be surprised he took the fight, he likely made life changing money for not even 6 minutes work. Most don’t care about legacy, they just want the big bucks

[margaret thatcher]

I'd still like to see Bakole in a big matchup with a full training camp. Don’t think he's amazing by any stretch, but certainly a lot better than he looked last night and with the power to cause an upset, plus he's quite entertaining to watch if you enjoy sluggers, as I do.

A full training camp wouldn't have made any difference last night against Parker.
Bakole wasn't even puffing when he was dispatched. Parker could have picked away at him for 12 rounds easily staying out of range just due to being way quicker on his feet.
There is a place for fun Bakole fights (I enjoy a banger too) but not at that level.

come on now, dude obviously hadnt been training (fight with ajagba was still 3 months away) - hence career high weight. then he had a 12 hour flight a couple days prior, then another 4 hour flight + layoff immediately before. he wasnt even in the country till the day before or there to weigh in. that is absolutely awful prep, totally out of shape, lacking in skills prep, and lagged. he was so giddy after losing too.........he was happy to get a sudden windfall and just be there.

had he taken it seriously and gotten a full camp he'd have put in a better go. if not, then why do fighters even train? id still go parker but defo not like he did it here.

parker not the type to blast out contenders either

[Ruthless-RKO]

No one should be surprised he took the fight, he likely made life changing money for not even 6 minutes work. Most don’t care about legacy, they just want the big bucks

Yh and Nelson just wanted his cut.

[Controversial]

No one should be surprised he took the fight, he likely made life changing money for not even 6 minutes work. Most don’t care about legacy, they just want the big bucks

Yh and Nelson just wanted his cut.

Of course, it’s always about the money, us fans read too much into the BS fighters and promoters say, most will be happy to lose if they are paid enough

[MightyWarrior]

I don’t think so. Imagine all the millions back home in Congo and Africa, watching their great warrior who looked like the 2nd coming of George Foreman last time out, destroying America’s next big heavyweight hope, turning up and getting humiliatingly destroyed in a matter of minutes. He’s got to go back to that, and he’ll be feeling awful

he would’ve made millions in his next fight anyway, and would’ve been completely prepared for a tilt at the heavyweight title, maybe in Africa against Joshua.

They sold him short, his advisers, with this one. A real disaster

[Controversial]

I don’t think so. Imagine all the millions back home in Congo and Africa, watching their great warrior who looked like the 2nd coming of George Foreman last time out, destroying America’s next big heavyweight hope, turning up and getting humiliatingly destroyed in a matter of minutes. He’s got to go back to that, and he’ll be feeling awful

he would’ve made millions in his next fight anyway, and would’ve been completely prepared for a tilt at the heavyweight title, maybe in Africa against Joshua.

They sold him short, his advisers, with this one. A real disaster

Do you think he really cares what people think of him after earning a shed load of money and still in line for a title eliminator?I bet he doesn't give a toss and he couldn't believe his luck. He has the ultimate excuse list why he lost, unfit, no sparring, overweight, jet lagged etc etc.

[Jimmy2025]

I don’t think so. Imagine all the millions back home in Congo and Africa, watching their great warrior who looked like the 2nd coming of George Foreman last time out, destroying America’s next big heavyweight hope, turning up and getting humiliatingly destroyed in a matter of minutes. He’s got to go back to that, and he’ll be feeling awful

he would’ve made millions in his next fight anyway, and would’ve been completely prepared for a tilt at the heavyweight title, maybe in Africa against Joshua.

They sold him short, his advisers, with this one. A real disaster

Do you think he really cares what people think of him after earning a shed load of money and still in line for a title eliminator?I bet he doesn't give a toss and he couldn't believe his luck. He has the ultimate excuse list why he lost, unfit, no sparring, overweight, jet lagged etc etc.

He will care soon if not already You get used to having plenty of money very quickly and realise having it means jack all compared to your self worth.

I agree with MW that Bakole’s advisors made a bad call.

[Controversial]

I don’t think so. Imagine all the millions back home in Congo and Africa, watching their great warrior who looked like the 2nd coming of George Foreman last time out, destroying America’s next big heavyweight hope, turning up and getting humiliatingly destroyed in a matter of minutes. He’s got to go back to that, and he’ll be feeling awful

he would’ve made millions in his next fight anyway, and would’ve been completely prepared for a tilt at the heavyweight title, maybe in Africa against Joshua.

They sold him short, his advisers, with this one. A real disaster

Do you think he really cares what people think of him after earning a shed load of money and still in line for a title eliminator?I bet he doesn't give a toss and he couldn't believe his luck. He has the ultimate excuse list why he lost, unfit, no sparring, overweight, jet lagged etc etc.

He will care soon if not already You get used to having plenty of money very quickly and realise having it means jack all compared to your self worth.

I agree with MW that Bakole’s advisors made a bad call.

Has he said he was advised to take it against his better judgement? I very much doubt it tbh, who knows maybe they told him to turn it down and he said yes.

[TBA]

If he beats Efe then he will be good with the Saudi's after this step in. Will likely be a regular of Riyadh season.

It's a good move provided Efe doesn't steamroll him. Hell, even if Efe does, then it's an even better move to secure the bag.

What I will add though is that this is the difference between boxing and MMA. No one cares about the records in MMA, especially as a last minute replacement.

[joshj909]

Bakole vs Hunter rematch shouldn't be completely out of the question if the Ajagba flight doesn't happen. Hunter needs to be brought back into the fold but it seems like nobody wants to or can't get him a proper fight.

[THEBUTCH]

I think margaret thatcher's post is on the money

It was a hell of a punch Parker uncorked and it also caught Bakole high on the head and buggered up his equilibrium.

With a full training camp there's every chance Bakole could have performed differently.

As it is, Parker must be in pole position to challenge Usyk IMO, followed by Kabayel

[cormack]

I think margaret thatcher's post is on the money

It was a hell of a punch Parker uncorked and it also caught Bakole high on the head and buggered up his equilibrium.

With a full training camp there's every chance Bakole could have performed differently.

As it is, Parker must be in pole position to challenge Usyk IMO, followed by Kabayel

DDD has the other belt so why would Usyk waste time on Parker or Kabayel

[KiwiRider]

I think margaret thatcher's post is on the money

It was a hell of a punch Parker uncorked and it also caught Bakole high on the head and buggered up his equilibrium.

With a full training camp there's every chance Bakole could have performed differently.

As it is, Parker must be in pole position to challenge Usyk IMO, followed by Kabayel

DDD has the other belt so why would Usyk waste time on Parker or Kabayel

I might be wrong, but I get the impression that Turki calls the shots now- that is if they want the oil money, and they consistently do.

[cormack]

I think margaret thatcher's post is on the money

It was a hell of a punch Parker uncorked and it also caught Bakole high on the head and buggered up his equilibrium.

With a full training camp there's every chance Bakole could have performed differently.

As it is, Parker must be in pole position to challenge Usyk IMO, followed by Kabayel

DDD has the other belt so why would Usyk waste time on Parker or Kabayel

I might be wrong, but I get the impression that Turki calls the shots now- that is if they want the oil money, and they consistently do.

Turki may have the $$$ but Usyk is the no 1 fighter in the world - he has said maybe 2 more fights to go which include DD .
Beyond that who knows ... but really whats the point of just going further down and down the ranks .

He really has nothing to prove .

I sense the DD fight is all about leaving no doubt on his legacy given all the low blow nonsense .

[joshj909]

I think margaret thatcher's post is on the money

It was a hell of a punch Parker uncorked and it also caught Bakole high on the head and buggered up his equilibrium.

With a full training camp there's every chance Bakole could have performed differently.

As it is, Parker must be in pole position to challenge Usyk IMO, followed by Kabayel

DDD has the other belt so why would Usyk waste time on Parker or Kabayel

I might be wrong, but I get the impression that Turki calls the shots now- that is if they want the oil money, and they consistently do.

I think Frank has Turki's ear more than an other promoter. I have a bad feeling Dubois gets the next shot.

[margaret thatcher]

I think margaret thatcher's post is on the money

It was a hell of a punch Parker uncorked and it also caught Bakole high on the head and buggered up his equilibrium.

With a full training camp there's every chance Bakole could have performed differently.

As it is, Parker must be in pole position to challenge Usyk IMO, followed by Kabayel

DDD has the other belt so why would Usyk waste time on Parker or Kabayel

usyk already trashed the belt dubois has and already stopped him. weve seen it already. does usyk really need a 3rd rematch at hw?? he's already been undisputed so that's no new accomplishment. he's already stopped dubois so it's not a new opponent in the win column.

if anyone is the waste of time fight it's dubois, not a fresh challenger who is deserving of a shot like parker or kabayel

[dookus]

Those top of head punches are the weirdest. especialy the glancing ones that are inside out (I don't quite know how to describe this but when the hook is looping right to left and it glances there head left to right... )

They are rare enough that its hard to know, but then they happen it often appears very very odd.... Like bakole too a bomb clean no drama earlier in the fight, but this skimming shot had him in 12 margaritas deep on a wobbly boat.

I don't read too much into these types of KOs, and would not be saying bakole is chinny just yet.... obviously full credit to parker, but there's a lot of luck involved in boxing, even if you do create your own luck...

Fully agree, they're weird shots and probably a nightmare to train for (or indeed land deliberately).

Interestingly it's not the first time Parker has stopped an opponent with a shot to that spot on the head. Maybe it's part of his gameplan

[THEBUTCH]

stevec@france, Think about Mike Tyson's and Lennox Lewis' world championship reigns. They took on a string of contenders and when you look back at the record books I'm inclined to think they'll be judged favourably as a result.

If the same names keep cropping up it looks a bit unadventurous (and that's not to diminish Usyk's achievements).