On February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joseph Parker first trained for a highly competitive heavyweight bout with Daniel Dubois. However, because of illness, Dubois withdrew from the bout just a few days before it was held. This was confirmed through his promoter, Frank Warren, who said the latter could not compete due to illness. Parker also had no opponent because of sudden withdrawal and threatened the legitimacy of the fight.
Substitution
The event organizers, determined to make the fight happen, immediately searched for a new opponent as time was running out. Several fighters were approached, but none were willing to fight at such short notice. Parker had won five consecutive fights, and most heavyweights were either not ready or not willing to fight Parker. Martin Bakole, however, grabbed the opportunity and went ahead without hesitation.
Martin Bakole
When Bakole was presented with the fight against Parker, he was in the Congo. He immediately agreed to take the fight and organized an emergency trip to Saudi Arabia. On his way to Riyadh, he travelled over 3,800 miles, making a stopover in Ethiopia and Dubai. Bakole’s unwavering confidence in his capacity to fight at the best of his level, despite the short notice and without any training camp, is truly impressive.
Joseph Parker
Parker welcomed Bakole as his rival and quickly adjusted to the new scenario. Even though he recognized Bakole’s ability and size, he did not appear to be worried about the change. Parker’s resilience and determination shone through as he informed supporters that he was still adequately prepared and vowed to play magnificently against anyone he encountered.
Details of the Fight
Parker and Bakole will face each other on Saturday, February 22, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Parker’s initial target was becoming the IBF heavyweight champion, but Dubois’ pullout denied him that opportunity. Instead, the WBO confirmed Bakole is now to fight Parker for the interim heavyweight belt.
Current Performances
Bakole has an outstanding record going into the fight—21 victories and just one defeat. Among his noteworthy triumphs versus elite heavyweights are:
Jared Anderson is one of the division’s rising stars.
Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka and battle-hardened veteran Carlos Takam
Bakole, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs close to 300 pounds, is incredibly strong. He thinks he can pull off a significant upset against Parker with his size advantage and aggressive fighting style.
Championship Aspirations
Former WBO heavyweight champion Parker has been at his best lately. His five-fight winning streak included a significant triumph over Deontay Wilder in December 2024. His most recent shows have included:
Better hand speed than the majority of heavyweights
Outstanding mobility and defensive abilities
World-class expertise against the best opponents
A victory over Bakole would further cement Parker’s place as a top contender and keep him on track for another attempt at the world title.
For Parker, a victory continues his winning streak and strengthens his argument for another opportunity at a world title.
For Bakole: An unexpected victory puts him in the queue for the title and establishes his status as one of boxing’s best.
Parker vs. Bakole promises to be an intense bout regardless of the unexpected turn of events. Since the two rivals eagerly took on the challenge so swiftly, there is going to be a lot happening in the struggle. The fight could be one of the most compelling heavyweight fights for the year due to the tremendous stakes and unexpected nature.
