Joseph Parker v Martin Bakole recap: Kiwi claims emphatic second-round victory
Joseph Parker knocked Martin Bakole out in the second round of their clash in Riyadh
Christopher Reive
That will do it for the blog. I'll leave you with the report from our man on the ground in Riyadh, Liam Napier.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Christopher Reive
Christopher Reive
"When I came back to the corner [after round one], Andy gave me instructions just to be patient, and when the overhand right comes, when he walks in and attacks, that's when you have to take your shot. That's the best way to catch them when they're coming in," Parker said.
"I will fight anyone and everyone."
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"Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the challenge and flying all the way here on short notice to give me a good fight," Parker said.
"I just went out there and listened to [coach] Andy [Lee], stayed calm, structured, composed and got the victory."
"I want to say, who's next? I want to fight for the world title next. How can I fight for the world title? If Usyk wants a dance partner, I'll get Uncle Frank to come in here and lock in a fight with Usyk. But I want to fight for the world title.
"I'd like to be champion of the world again."
IT'S OVER
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It was a wild right that caught Bakole, who was on wobbly legs before falling to the canvas.
Initially it looked like Parker's shot hand missed, but replays showed it just clipped Bakole – which was enough to end it.
Bakole did try to beat the count, but the referee called it.
BAKOLE GOES DOWN
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Christopher Reive
Bakole now trying to walk Parker down.
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Couple of heavy right hands from Parker.
Strong body shot from Bakole.
Christopher Reive
Parker wears a couple and is bleeding from his nose.
Christopher Reive
Parker maintaining his distance well. Lands a good right hand.
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Bakole with a couple of good jabs.
Round 2 - FIGHT
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End of round 1
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10-9 Parker. Bakole with a nice uppercut to end the round though.
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Bakole with a bit of a wild uppercut, but it backs Parker up against the ropes.
Parker gets back to the centre.
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Parker counters a Bakole jab with three of his own.
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Parker's touching him with the jab. Good hook from Bakole.
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Bakole throws a right behind a double jab, but Parker moves away.
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Bakole stands with his right hand low, cocked and ready to throw
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Good jab from Parker. In and out quickly
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Parker feinting early, backing Bakole up.
Round 1 - FIGHT
Christopher Reive
Christopher Reive
Both men have made their way into the ring. Michael Buffer will make the introductions, then it will be time for the two to throw down.
Christopher Reive
Bakole will always be a knockout threat with the power he possesses, but as the fight goes longer, I'd expect Parker to start taking over.
If he doesn't get caught early, I wouldn't be surprised to see Parker get a late stoppage or a fairly comfortable win on the scorecards.
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Shakur Stevenson beats Josh Padley via ninth-round TKO. He peppered Padley to the body, dropping him twice in the round before finally getting the finishing blow to the midsection with 13s left in the round.
Padley was also a short-notice replacement, getting the call earlier this week to take on Stevenson for the WBC title after Floyd Schofield fell ill.
While you're waiting for Parker's fight to start
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Why not read this scene-setter from Liam Napier, who is in Riyadh to cover the bout?
Christopher Reive
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is in attendance, sitting front row between promoter Frank Warren and Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority
Parker likely to start around 11am
Christopher Reive
The WBC lightweight world title is on the line now, with Shakur Stevenson (USA) taking on Josh Padley (GBR)
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Bakole wasn’t even in Saudi Arabia when he got the call to replace Dubois, travelling to Riyadh from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, via Ethiopia. Bakole was expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia at 2am on the morning of the fight. Parker instead faced off with Dubois' promoter Frank Warren after weigh-ins yesterday.
However, he had been in camp with his sights set on securing a bout against Nigerian Efe Ajagba later this year which was expected to double as a title eliminator to find the next challenger for the IBF belt.
The bout between Parker and Bakole now figures to double as that title eliminator given Parker was due to fight for the IBF belt on the card. However, with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk voicing his desire to fight for the IBF title and become undisputed champion again, it is uncertain exactly what will play out in the title picture over the coming months.
“I wanted to fight for the championship of the world, of course I did. But if Dubois is sick, may he get better soon. There’s no point fighting sick. I’ve done that once before [against Joe Joyce] and it wasn’t good. Rest, recover, come back. In the meantime, I’m fighting Martin Bakole,” Parker told the Herald’s Liam Napier in Riyadh.
“I feel good. We’ve gone from one big puncher to the next big puncher. Even though we’re not fighting for the world title I get to defend my WBO interim belt for the first time. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to still be involved in this great event. I’m looking forward to fighting Martin Bakole when he arrives and putting on a good show.”
Hello and welcome
Christopher Reive
Joseph Parker has gone from challenger to defender after a late change to his opponent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old Kiwi heavyweight was scheduled to take on IBF world champion Daniel Dubois on the card, but with Dubois withdrawing due to an unspecified illness a late replacement was found for Parker to take on.
That replacement is Martin Bakole - another 198cm power puncher - who is ranked inside the top five with all four major governing bodies of the sport - including being ranked above Parker with the IBF.
The bout will now be for the WBO interim world heavyweight title, which Parker won in his last fight against Zhilei Zhang.
Christopher Reive here at NZME Towers to bring you all the action.
All you need to know ahead of Parker v Bakole
Joseph Parker has gone from challenger to defender after a late change to his opponent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old Kiwi heavyweight was scheduled to take on IBF world champion Daniel Dubois on the card, but with Dubois withdrawing due to an unspecified illness a late replacement was found for Parker to take on.
That replacement is Martin Bakole - another 198cm power puncher - who is ranked inside the top five with all four major governing bodies of the sport - including being ranked above Parker with the IBF.
The bout will now be for the WBO interim world heavyweight title, which Parker won in his last fight against Zhilei Zhang.
Bakole wasn’t even in Saudi Arabia when he got the call to replace Dubois, travelling to Riyadh from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, via Ethiopia. Bakole was expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia at 2am on the morning of the fight.
However, he had been in camp with his sights set on securing a bout against Nigerian Efe Ajagba later this year which was expected to double as a title eliminator to find the next challenger for the IBF belt.
The bout between Parker and Bakole now figures to double as that title eliminator given Parker was due to fight for the IBF belt on the card. However, with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk voicing his desire to fight for the IBF title and become undisputed champion again, it is uncertain exactly what will play out in the title picture over the coming months.
“I wanted to fight for the championship of the world, of course I did. But if Dubois is sick, may he get better soon. There’s no point fighting sick. I’ve done that once before [against Joe Joyce] and it wasn’t good. Rest, recover, come back. In the meantime, I’m fighting Martin Bakole,” Parker told the Herald’s Liam Napier in Riyadh.
“I feel good. We’ve gone from one big puncher to the next big puncher. Even though we’re not fighting for the world title I get to defend my WBO interim belt for the first time. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to still be involved in this great event. I’m looking forward to fighting Martin Bakole when he arrives and putting on a good show.”
How to watch in New Zealand
The card is being streamed on DAZN for $46.99 from 4.30am on Sunday morning.
The Herald will be providing live updates from 10am, with Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole expected to get under way around 10.30am.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.