Trainer Andy Lee is demanding a title fight next for Joseph Parker against WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk after his second-round knockout win against Martin Bakole last Saturday night at The Venue in Riyadh.
It’s understandable why Lee is pressing for the Usyk fight for Parker because it’s a big payday for him. He’s not going to get the fight next. Defeating Bakole is not enough for Parker to punch his ticket for a fight against Usyk.
Bakole: A Meaningless Win
Lee feels that the victory for Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) over the 310-lb, out-of-shape Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) was all Joseph needed to be given a title shot. Bakole was brought in on two days’ notice and was roughly 30 lbs overweight.
It doesn’t look like Parker will be given a title shot, as there’s talk of Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) facing IBF champion Daniel Dubois next. Usyk called out Dubois last Saturday night, saying he wants him next.
That’s a better fight for the fans, as Daniel is coming off a big fifth-round knockout win over Anthony Joshua. There’s also the controversy of the first Usyk-Dubois fight.
“Usyk. Joe beats him. He’s faster and we got the power. Joe can match him. He’s younger and fresher,” said Andy Lee to The Stomping Grounds about him wanting unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk next for Joseph Parker after his win over 310-lb Martin Bakole last Saturday night in Riyadh.
“Everyone said Joe was crazy for taking this fight [Bakole]. Another win for him. Look who we’ve got on the resume [out of shape Bakole]. Give us a title next! Joe needs a title fight,” said Lee.
What Parker needs to do is face one of these fighters next:
– Agit Kabayel
– Bakhodir Jalalov
– Moses Itauma
– Filip Hrgovic
– Andy Ruiz Jr.
Parker isn’t that far away from a title shot. He just needs to beat someone solid for a change, someone not ancient or grossly out of shape. Parker’s other recent wins have come against these fighters: Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder, and Simon Kean. That’s not a good enough group for him to deserve a title shot against Usyk, is it? Parker has been matched well, obviously, by his promoters, but he’s got to step it up against A-level fighters.
Last Updated on 02/24/2025