Martin Bakole is now the replacement opponent to face Joseph Parker on Saturday after IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois pulled out due to an illness today. The highly ranked #2 WBA and #2 WBO Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) was quickly found to replace the I’ll Dubois as Parker’s opponent for the co-feature.
The Boogeyman Cometh
The Ring broke the news that Bakole had been picked as Parker’s replacement (35-3, 23 KOs). There has been no drop-off, with Bakole now the former WBO heavyweight champion’s opponent. I can predict the look of terror that will be in Parker’s eyes when he’s being stalked around the ring by Martin.
I’m surprised Parker agreed to this fight. You have to give him credit for being willing to take him on because it’s a high-risk matchup for him. Going up against a phenom like Bakole could end badly for Parker, who has a lot of miles on the odometer. However, the upside is enormous. If Parker is victorious, he will have beaten the boogeyman in the division and will be positioned for a world title shot.
This is an upgrade because Bakole can generate power even on short punches. He doesn’t need to load up on his shots like Dubois did to hurt his opponents. Bakole reminds me of Sonny Liston. He has the same ability to get maximum knockout power on his shorter arm punches, identical to how Liston fought.
This will be a fascinating spectacle for the fans. I just wonder how Parker, 33, will handle Bakole’s pressure. This guy isn’t an ancient fossil from the Mesozoic period of the dinosaurs, like the guys Parker beat recently. Bakole is in his prime and dangerous.
The New Zealander, Parker, has resurrected his sinking career with back-to-back victories over 40-ish heavyweights Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder. However, this is a much different type of fighter. Bakole, 31, is in his prime, fearless, and doesn’t have stamina problems. Parker must develop a whole new set of tools to win this fight.
Bakole is coming off a fifth-round knockout win over the previously unbeaten Jared Anderson on August 3rd in Los Angeles. He destroyed Anderson, dropping him three times in the fight before it was waved off. Since then, Bakole has been waiting for a chance to fight one of the big names, and now he’s got it.
Last Updated on 02/20/2025