Dave Allen has predicted an explosive conclusion to the heavyweight showdown between Joseph Parker and Martin Bakole.
In a dramatic few days which saw IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois fall ill and pull out of his title defence against Parker, there were concerns that the in-form New Zealander would be without an opponent.
Step forward Martin Bakole, who was drafted in as a last minute opponent for Parker with just a couple of days to spare. The 31-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo had been gearing up to face Efe Ajagba in an all-African battle, but his plans were quickly squandered when he received the call from Parker’s representatives earlier this week.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Allen gave his assessment of the exciting heavyweight showdown between Parker and Bakole, where he predicts a stoppage victory for the 33-year-old from New Zealand although admitted Bakole was ‘top of the list’ of everyone he’s sparred.
“So, we’re gonna go for a prediction obviously. My prediction is a Parker stoppage, and I may be wrong because I always say Bakole may be the best heavyweight in the world, I’ve said it for a long time now.
Why am I going against him? One is the short notice, he looks ginormous and Jared Anderson doesn’t look like he’s in love with the game. His resume isn’t proven world level for me. Parker will get through those first couple of rounds. I’m going to go Parker stoppage between round 4 and 6.
But if we’re talking the best I’ve ever sparred then Bakole is right at the top of the list.”
Parker’s resurgence since he was defeated by Joe Joyce in 2022 has been admirable. The 33-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion is unbeaten in his last five outings, claiming victories over the likes of Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
The experienced New Zealander will have to wait a little while longer for his opportunity to become a two-time heavyweight champion, although a victory over Bakole would prove that he remains one of the very best heavyweights on the planet.
