Martin Bakole has had a whirlwind of a week and went from Africa to Saudi Arabia to fight a strong Joseph Parker tonight.
This was due to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois having to pull out with illness in only recent days.
Speaking to Ring Magazine podcast Bakole disclosed the initial call with trainer Billy Nelson:
“Yeah, I know. I train with Billy (Nelson), we work together. So when he called me and said, ‘Hey, Dubois is sick and out—what do you think?’ They proposed that if I was available, I could replace him. I said, ‘Stop joking. I’m already living my life. Why are you talking about Dubois pulling out of the fight?’ He said, ‘No, I’m serious.’ I said, ‘Are you sure?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ And when he mentioned that His Excellency asked, you know, I said, ‘No, no, I can’t let him down.’ So even though I was in Congo, even though I wasn’t in the UK or in the gym, I felt like I could do it. And now I’m here.”
Bakole comes into the fight tonight at a career heaviest of 315 lbs.
Likely he will go for the early stoppage as it remains to be seen if he has the condition to box the full duration.
That most definitely will result in an exciting fight tonight.
