Last February, Martin Bakole, replacing Daniel Dubois, who was unable to compete due to illness, agreed to save face for the IBF World Heavyweight Boxing Organization by taking the latter's place in the ring opposite Joseph Parker. Bakole took the risk and two days before the fight, he arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from the DRC, where he had been busy overseeing the construction of his shopping center. Without having prepared himself physically, only mentally, he donned his gloves and entered the ring opposite Joseph Parker, who had been very well prepared for months since the announcement of this fight, which was originally supposed to pit him against Daniel Dubois. Bakole, who had already knocked out his challengers 16 times in 21 fights and one loss, found himself facing Parker, who had knocked out 23 of his challengers in 35 fights and three losses. In the second round, Bakole was knocked out.
This defeat hasn't negatively affected his career so far. What explains this? Boxing fans forgive him for the fact that the announcement of this fight was made only two days before it took place. He didn't have enough time to prepare, and even then, the May 3rd, fight against Efe Ajagba is a benefit of the doubt his fans are giving him. His defeat could bury his career, and his victory will give him ''carte blanche'' to pursue a colorful career in the big leagues currently occupied by Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Deontay Wilder...
