Martin Bakole was drafted in as a late replacement to face Joseph Parker as part of a Saturday's blockbuster night of boxing, after Daniel Dubois withdrew through illness; watch the Riyadh Season event on Sky Sports Box Office from 4pm on Saturday February Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Only in heavyweight boxing could a fighter be summoned from the Democratic Republic of Congo at two days' notice to compete in a title bout on the biggest card in the world.
But all that happened, at dizzying speed, on Thursday night. Daniel Dubois was meant to be addressing a press conference in Riyadh for an IBF heavyweight world championship defence against Joseph Parker.
But Dubois didn't attend. It emerged that he had fallen ill. While Dubois was being medically evaluated, alternative opponents for Parker were mobilising. Lawrence Okolie, the former cruiserweight champion who is a new addition to the heavyweight division, was willing to take the fight. Dillian Whyte's manager, Michael Ofo told Sky Sports : "All they got to do is pick up the phone, Dillian's known for fighting anyone, anytime, any moment.
Joe Joyce, who is due to box on March 1 anyway and has previously beaten Parker, was willing to step in too. But Bakole, the top-rated contender with the IBF, who wasn't in camp and wasn't due to box till May, catapulted himself into the frame. Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Book to watch on TV. How to watch Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 online. All the ways to book Beterbiev vs Bivol 2. Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Live fight updates. His trainer Billy Nelson volunteered Bakole immediately.
His promoter, Ben Shalom was on the press conference stage with Joshua Buatsi, another of his fighters. He was on his phone at once offering Bakole's services. The year-old is currently the No 2 ranked contender for the WBO heavyweight title behind Zhilei Zhang, although he is the highest-rated available challenger due to Zhang already being in action that evening against Agit Kabavel for the vacant WBC Interim heavyweight title.
