The highly anticipated boxing event in Riyadh, billed as “the greatest fight card in the history of boxing,” has faced a last-minute shake-up. Daniel Dubois, originally scheduled to defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker, has been forced to withdraw due to illness. His absence is a significant blow to the event, but a replacement has been swiftly secured in the form of Martin Bakole.
Bakole, a heavy hitter from the Democratic Republic of Congo, steps in on short notice to face Parker in a non-title bout. While this last-minute change disrupts the original plan, Bakole presents a genuine threat. He has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous yet avoided fighters in the division. Though he hasn’t had much time to prepare specifically for Parker, he has been training for a fight against Efe Ajagba next month. That means he’s already in shape and ready to go while also securing a lucrative opportunity.
For Parker, the pressure is immense. He had been on a strong run of victories leading up to his world title shot and was confident in his chances against Dubois. Now, he must quickly adapt to a new opponent with an entirely different style. A loss would be devastating after all the work he put in to reach this point.
Despite the short notice, Bakole cannot be overlooked. In his last fight, he knocked out the previously unbeaten Jared Anderson, improving his record to 22-1. His power and unpredictability make him a real challenge, even for someone as experienced as Parker. His previous fight in Riyadh also left an impression, not just for his victory over Carlos Takam, but for the moment when he mistakenly won over the crowd. In his post-fight interview, he thanked his physiotherapist, Anna, for helping him recover from an injury. The local audience, however, misheard the name and thought he was expressing religious gratitude, responding with an unexpected roar of approval.
While Bakole’s presence adds intrigue, Dubois’ withdrawal dampens the overall spectacle of the event. Another major change comes in the form of Shakur Stevenson’s opponent. Originally set to face Floyd Schofield, Stevenson will now fight Josh Padley instead. The WBC world lightweight champion is expected to win comfortably, making the fight far less compelling than initially planned.
Despite these setbacks, the rest of the card remains strong. Several high-profile bouts would be headline events on any other night, including Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Carlos Adames, Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov, and Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith. However, the biggest attraction remains the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship.
Their first fight was a technical masterpiece, with Beterbiev securing a razor-thin majority decision. Bivol, previously undefeated, has admitted that the loss was painful, but he has vowed to reach new levels in the rematch. The two fighters are among the best in the sport, and their contrasting styles create a fascinating clash.
While the last-minute changes highlight the unpredictability of boxing, they also serve as a reminder that even the best-laid plans can be upended. Saudi Arabia’s financial muscle has allowed it to reshape the boxing landscape, drawing in top fighters and promoters. However, the sport remains defined by chaos, where anything can happen at any moment. Dubois’ withdrawal is a testament to the fragility of even the strongest champions, and Parker will be keenly aware of this as he faces his unexpected new opponent.
