To be honest, it's even better than Dubois fight. I just don't know what will the odds be. But I'm not betting on Parker on this fight for sure.
It clearly demonstrates Beterbiev-Bivol wasn't the real main event and the other heavyweights mentioned as replacements weren't going to do the trick.
Good fight, feel bad for Parker though, he was so finely tuned for Dubois and the IBF title and now he has a completely different fighter in front of him who will be a hard night and with no reward.
I'm suprised Parker said yes on short notice. Bakole has enough physical advantages that if I were Parker, I'd want a strong gameplan. Not to mention the last minute risk without a chance to win a world title mind you.
This is an upgrade over the original fight. Whoever wins this is more than deserving of a title shot against Uysk. Parker has been on role lately but to beat Bakole on such short notice would be crazy impressive. He is about as scary of an opponent there is in the heavyweight division. Iron sharpens iron.
To be fair, Parker has always been game. I agree it's not a particularly wise move to take such an incredibly late replacement... Equally, neither has prepared for the other - Parker is far and away the more proven of the two and should be a very heavy favourite.