BoxRec

JOSEPH PARKER VS. MARTIN BAKOLE FINALIZED FOR "THE LAST CRESCENDO"

The Ring has now confirmed that IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is unable to move forward with his scheduled defense against former champion Joseph Parker on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A few options were being considered - which included former world champion Lawrence Okolie, contender David Adeleye and undefeated Mourad Aliev.

However, a monster replacement has been secured - with one of the most dangerous men at the weight, Martin Bakole, accepting the fight against Parker.

Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) is coming off his five round battering of unbeaten Jared Anderson from last August, which was part of a Riyadh Season card in Los Angeles, California.

Parker is no stranger to facing dangerous men. In his last two fights, Parker upset the odds by defeating Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang - two of the biggest hitters at the weight - and both contests took place in Riyadh.

Saturday's huge Riyadh Season card is headlined by the undisputed light heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Other fights on the card include WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson facing Josh Padley, Israil Madrimov challenging Vergil Ortiz Jr for the WBC Interim-world super welterweight belt. Callum Smith battles British rival Joshua Buatsi for the WBO interim-world light heavyweight crown. Carlos Adames' WBC world middleweight championship is at stake against undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz. And Zhilei Zhang faces Agit Kabayel for the WBC interim-world heavyweight title.

Wow!

How did they pull this one on such short notice?

I take it Parker gets to hold on to his WBO interim belt and defends it here?

All things considered that’s a hell of a short notice replacement!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 15:27 Wow!

How did they pull this one on such short notice?

He will have been on stand-by perhaps?

Jimmy2025 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 15:30

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 15:27 Wow!

How did they pull this one on such short notice?

He will have been on stand-by perhaps?

I did think this.

They tried to throw us off with them other 3 names

Gotta be somthing good in it for Parker here…. Weather it’s mega cash of a belt….

I wonder what kinda shape bakole is in.

Didn't Shalom say he was in the Congo ? So he has to travel to Saudi with just about 48 hours notice with no idea of his state of preparedness

Well I guess Parker now is definitely winning this weekend.

Kilburn wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 15:44 Well I guess Parker now is definitely winning this weekend.

Who knows?
Last minute replacements can cause an upset if your not prepared for them.
Ruiz instead of Miller for example.

Yeah maybe but I can’t see Bakole beating Parker on his best night. Very disappointing development.

Not a bad last minute replacement.

Win or lose, Martin gets his spot near the top of a high profile bill.

This is insane. Coming in on a Thursday night from the Congo.

Bakole to upset the applecart. Shows the money Turki is throwing around. I thought we were gonna get Aliev the worst of the three names. Great to see Bakole getting his shot

Bakole should be in good shape. I imagine he's been training for Ajagba and also likely knew he was a possible stand in for this fight.

Unlucky for Parker to not be fighting for the belt though. I actually think Bakole is more of a problem for him, he doesn't seem to mind getting hit as much as Dubois but he still comes forward throwing heavy punches. Parker will have to be fighting going backwards rather than pushing the pace forwards and closing the distance.

decent replacement. still backing Parker to do another matador act.

Does anyone have any insight into Bakole’s shape? I’d back him to beat Parker if both had the same amount of time to prepare.

That’s a hell of a late call. Yeah I wonder if he’s in shape, I remember a couple of fights ago he was well overweight although won easily. He better be, otherwise Joe could box rings around him, be a shame to mess up after his last fight statement win.

I don’t think they’d be throwing him in with DDD if it had been Joe calling in sick.

a force wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 16:30 Does anyone have any insight into Bakole’s shape?

Martin is on the starboard side.

I’ve heard there is a mandatory rehydration clause in place. After being in the Congo he’ll come to Saudi with Um-Bongo withdrawl symptoms…

Be interesting to see how good Bakole is.

The Hunter loss wasn't great, yes he beat Anderson, but the American had only ever beaten the usual suspect.
Yoka away from home is a solid result, but the Frenchman isn't great.

People like Peter Fury have spoken very highly of him.

Sort of guy whose risk/ reward doesn't really make him worth fighting.

And of course this is a short notice job.

The pressure is all on Parker, not Bakole. This is a ridiculously late replacement. Bakole has nothing to lose and everything to gain...no one was giving Bakole a title shot with proper notice.

Martin would be a fool if he freezes on his biggest night...just go out and give it everything he's got. Billy Nelson will be pumping up Bakole to give it his best effort.

I doubt VERY much Dubois would have taken Bakole at 2 days notice.

The funniest thing is Parker has just made Shakur look like a proper shithouse

a force wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 16:30 Does anyone have any insight into Bakole’s shape? I’d back him to beat Parker if both had the same amount of time to prepare.

Billy Nelson says he is at about 60% whatever that means.

The difference in hand speed is going to be cavernous