Bakole vs. Zhilei: Promoter Names Obstacle

Recently, the head of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, mentioned that the Riyadh Season could expand its reach to Africa or China for a bout between DR Congo’s Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) and China’s Zhilei Zhang (22-1, 22 KOs). 

Frank Warren, the founder of Queensberry Promotions and the promoter representing Zhilei Zhang, responded to Alalshikh’s initiative. According to Warren, the main obstacle to this fight happening could be a rematch clause involving interim WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs).

"We’ll see how it all unfolds. Zhilei has a rematch clause with Parker, and we need to address that. Zhang has expressed a desire for a rematch, so we need to clarify this situation," Warren noted.

On August 3, Martin Bakole knocked out Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) in the 5th round.

In the first fight between Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker in March, the New Zealander won by majority decision. After that, in June, Zhang faced Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) and won by technical knockout in the 5th round.