Malik Scott Picks the Favorite for Parker vs. Bakole

Malik Scott, trainer of former world champion Deontay Wilder, shared his exclusive thoughts with Ready to Fight on the upcoming heavyweight showdown between WBO interim champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) and Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs).

"Martin Bakole vs. Joseph Parker is a fantastic fight. This is an incredible matchup for the heavyweight division! We’ve already seen Martin Bakole perform under the bright lights. He has sparred with fighters similar to Parker, but a real fight is an entirely different story.

Joseph Parker has sparred with the best in the world—from top-tier champions to lesser-known names. He has faced the most dangerous heavyweights and not only held his own but beaten some of the division's true monsters. Now, he's going up against the division’s boogeyman—Martin Bakole.

This fight is a treat! I’m absolutely thrilled about it! I'm not a gambling man, but if I were to place a bet, I'd lean toward Joseph Parker. He’s in incredible physical and mental shape right now. His team, especially his strength and conditioning coach, has done an unbelievable job. I’ve never seen Parker in such great form.

However, you cannot underestimate Bakole. He’s in a mindset where he simply refuses to lose. He has spent years proving to the world who he really is. Look at his fight with Jared Anderson—everyone thought it would be Anderson’s breakthrough moment, but instead, Bakole went out there and dismantled him. That tells you everything.

Two dangerous fighters. Two elite athletes. Two heavy-handed punchers. People underestimate Parker’s punching power, but he hits much harder than he gets credit for. And Bakole? He just bulldozes opponents with sheer physicality. This will be an absolute war!

Again, I don’t gamble, but if I had to put money down, I’d back Joseph Parker. Maybe he wins by a late stoppage, maybe on the scorecards—but I wouldn’t be surprised by any outcome. That’s no disrespect to Bakole, but Parker is in the best shape he’s been in for years. His winning streak and momentum are in his favor.

This fight is an eliminator—it won’t give Parker a title, but it will put him right at the doorstep of a championship bout. I’m betting on him to win, and I believe he’s on his way to becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion."

The Parker vs. Bakole fight has been officially confirmed as a title bout and will take place on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.