Martin Bakole has stepped in to fight Joseph Parker on two days’ notice. Another heavyweight on the bill, Zhilei Zhang, has weighed in with one big question.
Parker was gearing up for a world title challenge against IBF Champion Daniel Dubois, however the Brit was forced out of the contest due to a viral infection caught during fight week. Bakole flew from the Congo to Riyadh, arriving at 2AM on the day of the fight, to salvage the co-main event, now for Parker’s WBO Interim belt.
Before the two face off, Zhang takes on giant-slayer Agit Kabayel for the vacant WBC Interim belt. The Chinese southpaw bounced back from a points loss to Parker with a stoppage over Deontay Wilder to land in this position.
On his former foe now facing self-proclaimed ‘most avoided heavyweight’ Bakole, Zhang told IFL TV he believes the contest will be determined by how fit the latter is.
“I am gutted for Daniel getting sick at such a short time before the fight. It is a surprise and a shame. I want him to get better. Health is most important.
“When it comes to Joseph Parker, he doesn’t say no to nobody. It’s a quick turnaround fighting Bakole, but here’s my question: how fit is Bakole right now? How hard is he training? How serious is his training camp? Two days’ notice. There is a lot of questions around this fight. We’ll see what happens on Saturday night.”
Parker, despite preparing for a different skillset in Dubois, will step through the ropes with a full training camp under his belt. It is understood that Bakole has been training for some weeks now, but will be nowhere near peak condition as his next scheduled bout was in May.
Many feel that the African puncher has the early rounds to put Parker in danger, but if the New Zealander can weather any storm coming his way then his physical condition may allow him to take over.
