Bakole replaces Dubois

Bakole's had to go through all this (of his own volition granted) and it's Parker who comes out smelling of roses as some sort of hero. Has there ever been a bloke in boxing who has received so much undue adulation. Couldn't make it up.

If Bakole doesn't win this then I hope he enjoys the money and don't want to hear him and Nelson going on about how a world title is their priority in every interview.

 

Yeah, this is similar to my first thoughts on the fight. Very little risk for Bakole, unless he gets sparked out in a couple of minutes. But he’s fighting Parker, so that won’t happen.

If he wins, he’s next up to fight Usyk or Dubois. If he doesn’t, he loses a bit of that ‘bogeyman’ aura and finds it easier to get big fights anyway. A loss makes him fighting Joshua much more likely I’d have thought.

Didn’t quite think he’d be fighting in such bad shape though, so might revise those thoughts a bit.

 

Big gamble from bakole. 22 stone and been sat on his arse vs a fighter that has just done a full camp.

I understand why he's taken it no one is giving him a chance and you don't know when the next opportunity will come but at the same time should he have been patient and waited for the right opportunity. Think a mover like Parker might be all wrong for him at that weight. Look what he did to an immobile zhang.

Think it's a bridge too far for bakole with a full camp I would pick him but at this point he may look like ruiz against AJ in the second fight.

 

Ballooning up to that weight is embarrassing, he's a fat turd. Unless he lands a punch out of nowhere, he's got no chance.

 

I agree with this, it is embarrassing. Bakole and Nelson have been vocal in saying that he is an avoided fighter and that it’s hard for him to get good fights. So why not keep ticking over because boxing always has pullouts and there’s always a chance you could be a late replacement.

Bakole was 285 against Anderson. Pretty ridiculous for a big HW to balloon up even further. You can understand the lighter boxers who kill themselves to make weight getting heavy out of camp but there’s no reason for a chunky 280lbs+ HW to get to 315. It’s not like he’s starving himself.

 

Bakole says he has been given three fight deal and guaranteed title shot in 2026 with Turki al al shake. Probably couldn't turn down this offer.

 

The fact he is at 315 after 3 flights to Saudi suggests Bakole is getting a beat down, wouldn't be surprised if he gets pulled out after 4

 

He did know where the next opportunity was coming from though. He was going to be IBF mandatory after beating Ajagba which was pretty much nailed on.

 

I am starting to wonder about how serious Bakole is about winning this since he's said in interviews recently Parker is his best friend.

 

I know what you mean, I've been thinking the same thing. Seems like he's more grateful for the payday.

 

He doesn't seem very confident but christ the amount of time he's been travelling you'd be absolutely shot. It seems a bit farcical really. In the lead up he was going with Parker and saying he's his best friend and they are so close.

What does that do to your accumulator ? I liked the look of yours more than most of the users.

 

Will be astonished if Parker cannot beat Bakole tonight giving his journeyman 2 day's notice, extensive travelling and next to zero preparation.

Don't want to hear any excuses either from Team Bakole or Bakole fans on here should he lose after taking the Saudi money.

 

They’ve moved it from a 25k arena to a 6k arena.

 

The greatest card ever in a 6k arena?

The Saudi public must love their boxing.

 

Any more information on that? How does that pan out then. When did they move it? The ticket sales must have been dire. All i've heard for months is the best card ever.