Joseph Parker knocks out Martin Bakole after last-minute replacement

Joseph Parker scored a knockout victory over late replacement Martin Bakole in the second round of their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia, which took place after Bakole stepped in on just two days' notice. Bakole, who was originally in the Democratic Republic of Congo, undertook a grueling journey covering over 3,800 miles with multiple connecting flights to reach the fight. Parker was initially set to contest for the IBF heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois, who withdrew due to illness, leading to Bakole's unexpected opportunity. Despite the challenges of his rushed preparation and travel, Bakole expressed confidence in his ability to 'shock the world' before the fight. Parker praised Bakole for accepting the challenge and emphasized his eagerness to compete. The bout was part of a stacked card, also featuring a highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.