Joseph Parker will look to capitalize on an unexpected opportunity when he faces Martin Bakole on Saturday, February 22, at The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo event. (More Sports News)
Parker was originally slated to challenge for the IBF heavyweight title, but those plans were upended when Daniel Dubois had to pull out of their bout on Thursday due to illness.
This turn of events has allowed Congolese fighter Bakole to step in on short notice, with Parker now set to compete for the WBO interim world title.
The 31-year-old Congo fighter, Bakole, boasts a 21-1 professional record, with his only loss coming in 2018 against Michael Hunter.
Over the past few years, Bakole has climbed the heavyweight ranks, securing a victory over Carlos Takam in Riyadh in 2023, before delivering an impressive performance against Jared Anderson last August.
Joseph Parker Vs Martin Bakole: Fight Card
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
Joseph Parker Vs Martin Bakole: Stats
Joseph Parker
Nationality: New Zealander
Age: 33
Height: 6' 4"
Reach: 76"
Total fights: 38
Record: 35-3 (23 KOs)
Martin Bakole
Nationality: Congolese
Age: 31
Height: 6' 6"
Reach: 77"
Total fights: 22
Record: 21-1 (16 KOs)
Joseph Parker Vs Martin Bakole, WBO Heavyweight Interim Title Fight: Live Streaming
When to watch Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole, WBO Heavyweight Interim Title Fight?
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole will take place on Saturday, February 22 at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo.
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole Ringwalk (approx.): 12:40am KSA; 9:40pm GMT; 4:40pm ET; 1:40pm PT; 3:10am IST (Sunday)
Where to watch Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole, WBO Heavyweight Interim Title Fight?
The Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole fight, along with the entire card at The Last Crescendo, including Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2, will be available via DAZN Pay-Per-View.
