Joseph Parker will tackle Martin Bakole this weekend in Saudi Arabia, and never Daniel Dubois.
It’s because the Londoner has picked up an illness that has ruled him out of the competition, which had thrown the entire fight into doubt.
But Parker will fight, and a substitute has been found at short notice, such short notice that Bakole didn’t even make the weigh-in.
As an alternative, he was travelling to Saudi Arabia, and Frank Warren filled in a hilarious moment.
But with Dubois out, what happens to his belt?
Is Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole a world title fight?
The easy answer is not any.
It’s because the IBF belt is owned by Dubois, and simply because he’s ailing, does not imply he loses it.
After all, this is not a super situation for Parker, who had wanted the possibility to develop into a world champion again.
Had he won, the Recent Zealander would have also got the possibility to face Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed title fight.
But Usyk has now declared he just desires to face Dubois since the Londoner still has the IBF belt, so that they can still have an undisputed clash though Dubois is not going to fight Parker.
Talking to DAZN, Usyk said: “I would like to fight next with Dubois.”
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Nevertheless, while not a world title, there will probably be a belt on the road.
It’s because Parker is fighting to defend his WBO interim belt.
Usyk holds the actual version, but because it stands, the winner of Parker versus Bakole can be the mandatory challenger for that belt.
This implies Bakole could find yourself fighting among the best heavyweight boxers ever very soon if he can see off Parker.
However it’s not that easy because Usyk will probably be pursuing the unification bout, and that takes precedent over any mandatory.
The WBO’s president Gustavo Olivieri spoke to talkSPORT.com in regards to the process for after Parker versus Bakole.
He said: “The winner of Bakole-Parker will probably be mandatory for Usyk.
“The query is when will the mandatory will probably be enforced.
“It stays to be seen due to the existence of a rotation agreement (order of mandatories) between the sanction bodies.
“More than likely, the WBO is next in line, nonetheless, if a unification request (Usyk vs Dubois) is submitted to the Championship Committee, it will surely be regarded as unifications take precedence over mandatories and serve the most effective interests of boxing.”
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Due to this fact, the winner of Parker and Bakole, on the Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol 2 card, won’t take a world title home.
As an alternative, they are going to claim a belt and the interim WBO title.
This might then result in a possible mandatory challenge against Usyk, but it surely also might result in nothing if the Ukrainian gets his way.
Parker vs Bakole: Date and begin time
The 12-round heavyweight bout will happen on Saturday, February 22 on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Official start times at the moment are confirmed, with the undercard set to get going at 3:30pm UK time.
Then Parker vs Bakole is ready to begin at 9:40pm, but that point is subject to vary.
talkSPORT has secured the commentary rights to this massive event.
Adam Catterall will present live coverage from Riyadh on talkSPORT at 8pm with commentary coming from Gareth A Davies, Spencer Oliver and John Rawling.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the web site, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
It’s also possible to follow the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube Channel for all the newest news, views and exclusive content.
We’ll even be holding a live watch-along for all of the motion over on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube channel.
All the card will even be streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View and UK fans pays £19.99 to observe the motion here.
Parker vs Bakole: Undercard
Subject to vary
All times UK
- MAIN EVENT: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles
- Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole – for interim WBO heavyweight title
- Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley – for WBC lightweight title
- Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for WBC middleweight title
- Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for interim WBC super-welterweight title
- Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for interim WBC heavyweight title
- Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for interim WBO light-heavyweight title
