Official: Parker vs. Bakole Will Be for a Title

The bout between Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) and Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) will now have the WBO interim heavyweight title (over 90.7 kg) on the line, a belt currently held by the New Zealander.

Previously, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) had announced that Parker’s interim title would be vacated since he was set to challenge Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) for the full IBF championship. However, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri has now confirmed that due to Dubois falling ill and being unable to fight, Parker will be allowed to defend his belt against Bakole, who stepped in at the last moment.

This isn’t the only fight that has been reshuffled on the February 22 card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Floyd Schofield also withdrew due to illness, forcing him out of his scheduled clash with WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. Schofield will be replaced by Britain’s Josh Padley (15-0, 4 KOs).

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