Joseph Parker Faces Martin Bakole on Short Notice After Daniel Dubois Withdraws

The heavyweight clash in Riyadh sees Parker take a significant risk against Bakole, who stepped in with just 48 hours’ notice.

• Daniel Dubois withdrew from his IBF heavyweight title defense against Joseph Parker due to illness, leaving Parker to fight Martin Bakole instead.
• The fight, part of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season event, will now see Parker and Bakole compete for the WBO interim heavyweight title.
• Bakole, ranked No. 7 globally, accepted the bout on just two days’ notice, traveling from Congo to Riyadh for the opportunity of a lifetime.
• Parker, enjoying a career resurgence, risks his health and legacy in this short-notice bout after recent victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
• The event features a stacked card, including a rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title.

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