Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole: Tony Bellew Weighs In

Following the drama of February 20 in Riyadh which saw Daniel Dubois unable to move forward with his scheduled IBF world title defence against Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs). Chaos ensued, but a replacement was promptly found and we will now see Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs). Ahead of this intriguing heavyweight fight, many questions are being asked about Parker and Bakole, and Tony Bellew has weighed in when speaking to Casino Beats about how dangerous the Congolese fighter is.

Tony Bellew Analyses Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole

Bellew Talks ‘Problem’ Bakole

Following the drama surrounding the illness of Daniel Dubois, it was reported by The Ring that Lawrence Okolie, contender David Adeleye and the undefeated Mourad Aliev were considered. Despite these other names it became apparent pretty quickly that Bakole would be the chosen opponent. Looking at the risk to both fighters, they have to be applauded for accepting to face each other at such short notice.

Following this late change to the card, Tony Bellew spoke about the dangers that Bakole poses: “Martin Bakole is a good fighter. I wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole if I was in the heavyweight division. He’s a problem. At that kind of size, with that kind of power, he’ll be quicker than most of the heavyweights around because he’s been used to dealing with cruiserweights for so long.” 

Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole Full Fight Card

• Main event: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts
• Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole – Heavyweights
• 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
• Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira, 6 rounds, welterweights
• Mohammed Alakel vs. Engel Gomez, 6 rounds, super featherweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Parker vs Bakole, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.