Martin Bakole says he’s “going to shock the world” as Joseph Parker’s alternative opponent on Turki Alalshikh’s giant card on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A Soldier’s Mentality
Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) acknowledges that he didn’t have a training camp, but he views himself as a “soldier” and will likely be able to go to war on the frontlines against the previous WBO heavyweight champion Parker (35-3, 23 KOs).
Parker, 33, looked stunned when asked about his thoughts on his original opponent, IBF champion Daniel Dubois, pulling out with an illness. I hate to say it, but he must have expected it. With Dubois’ status for quitting in fights, the pullout was predictable. Parker put all that work into training for Dubois only to have him do that. I saw this coming from a mile away. ‘Once a quitter, at all times a quitter.’ The positive that comes out of this for Parker is that if he wins on Saturday, he’ll be in line to challenge Oleksandr Usyk, and he won’t pull out.
Before that, Daniel appeared off-kilter in interviews, and you would tell that nerves were beginning to get to him. He could have realized what he was up against, knowing that Parker’s crafty form of master boxing could be too difficult a puzzle for him to resolve.
Bakole is the other style of person to Dubois. He’s fearless and can go to the front with no questions, and he’s able to attack Parker to take his spot for a title shot against WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Weight Doesn’t Matter
“I feel I’m going to shock the world tomorrow. I’m a boxer. A boxer is sort of a soldier. Anytime they ask you to go to war, at all times be ready,” said Martin Bakole on X. “So, I’m able to go regardless of what it’s. I’ve not began the camp yet, but I’m able to go.”
Bakole looks around the identical weight he normally is. He could be around 300 lbs, but that weight will work just nearly as good because the 284 he weighed in for his last fight against Jared Anderson on August third. Bakole destroyed him in five rounds.
‘I feel I’ll shock the world tomorrow’ 👀@MartinBakole01 is on his method to Riyadh 🙌#BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live to tell the tale DAZN: Click link in bio to purchase | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/oZRWgxrLOi
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 21, 2025
Last Updated on 02/21/2025
