Martin Bakole flew in last minute to face Joseph Parker in the co-main event of a the latest Riyadh Season show, and heavyweight rival Derek Chisora was not impressed in the slightest by the proceedings.
Parker was gearing up to face IBF World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois before the Brit took ill during fight week. Bakole received the call and didn’t hesitate to sign and travel from the Congo, arriving at 2AM on the morning of the fight.
Those in the sport not buying into the hype and excitement of the last-minute change saw the bout as a dangerous match-up, though Bakole’s team were very confident.
Despite looking dangerous in the contest, Bakole suffered an equilibrium-shaking shot in the second round from a bulked-up Parker. He hit the canvas heavily and trainer Billy Nelson, when getting a good look at his charge on his feet, threw in the towel.
Chisora was initially a fan of the contest and got caught up in the hype, even predicting Bakole to win by stoppage. However, post-fight he told Seconds Out that what he just watch, given the circumstance, was ‘illegal.’
“I don’t understand why everyone is all hyped up about Bakole. The guy’s been on like a 24-hour flight. Joseph has been here for like three months training, the best camp ever, and you expect Bakole to get on a flight, get here, get weighed in, medical, don’t even sleep, come to the arena, warm up and fight a guy who’s been training for like six months.
“That’s illegal. Do you understand how illegal that is? Yeah he’s getting paid so much money, but that’s unfair. And we say we want to protect people in boxing. Let’s be honest. Yesterday we were talking about it, hyping it up, but really and truly that’s unfair.”
Bakole, who was in good spirits post-fight, says he will forge ahead with a planned fight in May against Efe Ajagba. As for Parker, who has twice beaten Chisora, he deserves a shot at the world heavyweight championship.
