Parker destroys Bakole in two rounds and says: 'I want my title shot'

Joseph Parker has knocked out Martin Bakole in what many saw as a risky heavyweight fight for him in Saudi Arabia this morning and has immediately targeted another world title shot.

In what was a significant performance and result for Parker, the Kiwi floored the massive Bakole with a big overhand right in the second round of their bout in Riyadh.

Bakole, who took the fight on 48 hours’ notice after Parker’s scheduled opponent Daniel Dubois withdrew complaining of illness, beat referee Steve Gray’s count but appeared bewildered and unsteady on his feet and Gray quickly called it off.

Bakole, from Congo, was in the African country on business when he agreed to replace Dubois and travelled to Riyadh via Ethiopia, only arriving on the morning of the fight.

He tipped the scales at a huge 142kg, with Parker weighing in at his heaviest ever 121kg.

Parker, 33, quickly agreed to the match-up but there were huge risks attached given Bakole’s reputation as the world’s most avoided heavyweight and the way he demolished rising star Jared Anderson in California last year.

As it was, Bakole, also 33, clearly was not in the right condition to fight a man in Parker who has been training intensively for more than three months for a shot against Dubois, the IBF world champion.

Round 1 was a close affair, with Parker showing good movement and better activity than Bakole and so he probably edged it, although Bakole came back into it at the end and caught Parker with a right hand – a reminder of his effortless power.

The second round showcased a more aggressive attitude from Parker, who walked Bakole down and used his right hand, although he was wearing a few too.

Bakole walked into the punch that stopped the fight. Parker, increasingly loading up with his power, threw a right hand that came from the sole of his shoes and connected with the top of Bakole’s head.

Bakole appeared to take it okay at first but then topped backwards on to the canvas. Gray waved it off with 43 seconds remaining.

“I just went out there and listened to [trainer] Andy [Lee] and stayed calm, structured and composed and got the win,” Parker said in the ring afterwards.

“I’m fit, I’m strong, I’m healthy, I’m sharp thanks to these two men [Lee and conditioning coach George Lockhart] and my hard work as well.”

However, with Dubois now conveniently being lined up to fight the other heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, who was ringside, after avoiding Parker at the last minute, the Kiwi was quick to ask: “I want to say who’s next? How can I fight for the world title next? If Usyk wants a dance partner, I’m here.”

After Parker’s performance – his first knockout victory since he beat Simon Kean in October 2023 – many, including New Zealand’s deputy prime minister Winston Peters, who was in a prominent ringside position, will agree he has done enough to deserve the honour.

Indeed, there will be those who are questioning how Dubois can win the honour of fighting for the undisputed title after crying off sick in what was effectively an eliminator for that bout.

Parker, who won the WBO world heavyweight title in 2016, said: “I want to be champion of the world again soon.”