On February 22, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) continued his brilliant form, stopping late replacement Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) in the second round of their heavyweight clash.
This win ensured the Kiwi fighter retained his WBO interim title. Bakole rolled the dice but ultimately came up short. Now, the dangerous Congolese fighter has been dealt a further blow, with the IBF final eliminator officially off the table.
Parker was due to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF title before Dubois was taken ill and ultimately withdrew from the fight, which led to Bakole taking the fight on three days’ notice and travelling to Riyadh with trainer Billiy Nelson, arriving in the early hours on the morning of the fight.
READ: Martin Bakole: ‘I’m Still The Boogeyman, That Punch Came From Nowhere’
The Congolese fighter received a big payday but ultimately came up short against Parker, while already having an IBF final eliminator on May 2 against Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) for the right to become Dubois’ mandatory challenger.
Following the loss on Feb. 22, an IBF spokesperson revealed to Fight Freaks Unite that “Bakole is out of the eliminator.”
