Martin Bakole took a fight with Joseph Parker on two days’ notice before being stopped by the New Zealander inside two rounds.
The African giant was praised by fans for stepping in at such late notice to save the co-main event after heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois took ill during fight week.
Bakole travelled around 4,000 mile from the Congo, landing at 2AM on fight day, to compete, even sporting Dubois’ gloves as he didn’t have his own.
Though he looked dangerous early, it was clear which man had benefitted from a full training camp and rest. Parker scored with an overhand right in the second round that discombobulated Bakole and sent him to the canvas. His legs weren’t beneath him when he attempted to stand, and trainer Billy Nelson promptly threw the towel in.
Speaking to IFL TV, Bakole discussed the shot.
“I think everyone knows what happened. To be honest, I did not see the punch today. This is boxing, anything can happen. I’m sitting with my coach asking why he did no give me a second chance. He said no, watch the video.
“For me I was thinking maybe I was going to recover and come back again like Joseph Parker did to big Zhang, but thank God I have a coach beside me saying no … It is what it is. He caught me on top. I never get punched here and it just feels like, ‘wow, what the hell.’
“But I remember everything. I went down … I was trying to stand up but for coach and everyone they said that was too late because I was struggling.”
Asked if he regrets the decision to step in, Bakole was happy with his choice despite the nature of his loss.
“For me, I’ve not lost the fight. because I’ve done something like nobody ever has in boxing. It was not only to help Joe. Let me tell you, three times I get calls from Saudi and I was not ready and I always said no. This one, His Excellency wanted to save the show … I said why not help him. I took a big risk. I was not prepared for it.”
He revealed that Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh has confirmed his next fight in May will go ahead. Whether or not that is still an IBF final eliminator against Efe Ajagbe remains to be seen.
As for Parker he ploughs ahead fully deserving a world title shot having now beating three of the division’s hardest punchers in a row.
