Martin Bakole's corner threw a curveball in the ring of potential matchups. Billy Nelson, Bakole's trainer, revealed they were eyeing a bout with Deontay Wilder on December 23:
"The offer was on the table, and we were game. But, Wilder's got his sights set on Joseph Parker," Nelson shared.
Nelson's in Parker's corner, at least in spirit: "I'm servering for Parker, but let's be real, it's going to be an uphill battle against Wilder."
As the bell rings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wilder and Parker will duke it out. Meanwhile, Bakole might still land a punch in this tournament. He's being touted as a possible contender for Filip Hrgovic, who's set to square off against Marco De Mori (41-2-2, 36 KOs).