Martin Bakole has stepped up as a late opponent to fight Joseph Parker, after Daniel Dubois pulled out due to illness.
Dubois had been due to defend his IBF world heavyweight crown against Parker on a huge night of boxing in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
That was set to be the chief support on a card that also includes the undisputed light-heavyweight title rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh.
However, Dubois did not attend the final press conference on Thursday night as it emerged that he was being evaluated by a doctor after falling ill, and the decision was then made to pull him out of the fight.
That left little time to find an opponent at just 48 hours notice, but Bakole has stepped up and will now take on Parker.
The 31-year-old from the Congo has a 21-1 professional record, with that sole defeat coming in 2018 against Michael Hunter. He has moved up the heavyweight ranks over the past couple of years, beating Carlos Takam in Riyadh in 2023 before proving far too good for Jared Anderson last August.
Parker vs Bakole fight date and venue
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole is scheduled to take place on Saturday February 22, 2025.
The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will host the fight.
Parker vs Bakole fight time and ring walks
The main card is expected to get underway at 4:45pm GMT with the main event at 11pm, meaning Parker vs Bakole is expected at around 9:40pm.
That could change, however, depending on how the fights earlier on the card develop.
Parker vs Bakole undercard
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole
Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
Ziyad Almaayouf vs Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira
Mohammed Alakel vs Engel Gomez
How to watch Parker vs Bakole
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, Parker vs Bakole is being broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view for £19.99, with no subscription required and a seven-day free trial to DAZN also on offer.
The event is also available to purchase via Sky Sports Box Office for £19.95, and on TNT Sports Box Office for £19.99.
LIVE coverage: Follow the entire card with Standard Sport’s live fight blog on Saturday night.
Parker vs Bakole prediction
It is difficult to know what to expect from Bakole at such short notice.
He was in the Congo on Thursday when accepting the fight and must now make the long trip to Riyadh, with effectively no time to settle in before he steps between the ropes on Saturday night.
Bakole does not have to worry about making weight but he will not be at peak fitness, meaning his best hope is to surely try and pile the pressure on Parker early and push for a quick stoppage.
Parker has the advantage in terms of physical condition but this is a big risk for him, having spent the last few months preparing to fight Dubois and now going up against an awkward opponent in Bakole with no real preparation.
The New Zealander will likely be cautious early on, knowing the fight will swing into his favour should it go into the later rounds, and he will hope to wear Bakole down and overcome a potential banana skin.
Parker to win by stoppage, round seven.
Parker vs Bakole weigh-in results
Bakole had yet to arrive in Riyadh by the time of Friday’s weigh-in, leaving Parker to step on the scales alone as he came in at a career-heaviest 267lbs.
He then had a joking face-off with promoter Frank Warren in the absence of his late replacement opponent, who will weigh in separately when he arrives in Saudi Arabia.
Parker vs Bakole odds
Parker to win: 4/7
Bakole to win: 7/5
Draw: 16/1
Parker to win on points or by decision: 7/2
Parker to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 5/4
Bakole to win on points or by decision: 9/1
Bakole to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 21/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
