Martin Bakole squares off against Joseph Parker on Saturday night, as a last-minute replacement for Daniel Dubois.London-born 'DDD' was slated to return to the ring off to defend his IBF title that he won via a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua in September, but was ultimately replaced by Congolese up-and-comer Bakole earlier this week - after Dubois fell ill and missed Thursday's press conference.With a record of 21-1, Bakole is fresh off the back of a fifth round knockout of Jared Anderson, in which he clinched the WBO International and vacant WBC-NABF heavyweight titles.
However, a win over Parker will see him challenge for his first world heavyweight title, with the WBO confirming that the winner of Saturday evening's fight will face current champion Oleksandr Usyk.With a new opponent at the ready, Parker is on a heated run of his own, currently relishing a five-fight winning streak with recent victories over the likes of Deontay Wilder and the gutsy Zhilei Zhang – who also fights on this bout’s undercard.This momentous bout, however, isn’t the main event on the night.
Light heavyweight undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev rematches former title-holder Dmitry Bivol after their first battle was called by the finest of margins.
Russian-Canadian fighter Beterbiev won the clash, with two ringside judges scoring it 115-113 and 116-112 in his favour, and one deeming it a draw.Controversy surrounded the result, and the second bout is set to conclude what promises to be an entertaining event.
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