To be fair, Bakole is a grown man who is very capable of thinking for himself, and he also just earned more in one night than most people will see in 10 years of hard work. I think he’d have been foolish not to take such a big payday. I imagine he was guaranteed further pay days as well for stepping in and “saving the show”, so he will get a fair shot at redeeming himself. It didn’t pan out as he’d have liked but he hardly took a career ending beating, he earned a boat load of money and he will have a fair chance to work his way to the top. It might even encourage him to stay in better shape year round.
If you watch the interview, Bakole himself says that getting knocked out in the second round isn't connected to a short camp at all, and getting caught in the temple (unlike the chin) is virtually unblockable and can happen to any fighter (he himself cites AJ). He straight up said that if he gassed out in the 8-10th, it would be as a result of his camp, but not in this case. And ALSO if you watch the interview, Bakole was CERTAIN that if he lasted another 1-2 rounds he would have knocked out Parker with an uppercut. Point being, he's a grown man who knew the risks, thought (whether delusionally or not) he had a great chance, and accepted that he got caught.
Bakole was scheduled to fight a final eliminator in May, by winning that he'd have been next in line for a title shot anyway. Turki also expressed interest in making a Bakole vs AJ fight in Africa later this year. He'd have made at least as much, if not more money if he had just went that route. Now, because of the loss, Bakole's fight against Ajagba won't be a final eliminator anymore. The fight will still happen, but he's going in against a big puncher only 9 weeks after getting knocked out, and it won't even get him into position for a title shot. Horrible decision making.
