Bakole had garnered the label of "the boogeyman of the heavyweight division," with his power, size and ability to walk down opponents leading to trouble finding opponents. To Parker's credit, he jumped at the chance to face Bakole after Dubois pulled out of the bout, taking the IBF heavyweight title with him.

Martin Bakole took a fight with Joseph Parker on two days' notice before being stopped by the New Zealander inside two rounds.

Joseph Parker stopped Martin Bakole in round two of their Riyadh bout to retain his interim WBO heavyweight title.