Fight results

A fight that came together unexpectedly, but tactically looks fantastic. The relentless offensive style of Martin Bakole will be tested against an opponent who knows how to move, create angles for both attack and defense, and counterpunch effectively.

Parker Will Have to Work Off the Back Foot

Parker will need to do a lot of work off his opponent. He is smaller than Bakole, who possesses heavier punches and solid skills. This means Joseph will have to work hard on his footwork, body movement, and clinching to offset the physical advantages of his opponent.

Both fighters are the same age at 33 years old, but Parker has significantly more experience.

The New Zealander has been a full-fledged world champion and has faced names like Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce, Derek Chisora, Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and Andy Ruiz. Bakole, on the other hand, has yet to face an opponent of that caliber in a full-fledged bout—not just in sparring.

The biggest names on Bakole’s record include Carlos Takam, Jared Anderson, Kevin Johnson, Ihor Shevadzutskyi, and Tony Yoka—a list that doesn't compare to Parker’s resume.

Both fighters throw around 350-500 punches per fight. They focus on short but powerful and accurate combinations.

Martin Bakole can punch from any range but is particularly dangerous in the mid-range, where he can plant his feet and fully commit to his shots thanks to his superior physical strength and punching power.

Parker's advantage lies in his movement, punch output, and accuracy—the same attributes he used to defeat Zhilei Zhang. In that fight, he threw 349 punches, landed 101, and won despite being knocked down twice.

Both boxers have fought once in 2024. Joseph Parker outboxed Zhilei Zhang, while Martin Bakole knocked out Jared Anderson.

In 2023, Bakole fought twice and won both times, while Parker was more active, fighting four times and winning all of them.

Parker can punch hard and finish fights after scoring knockdowns. However, the clear power advantage belongs to Martin Bakole.

The Congolese fighter is a heavyweight in every sense of the word—his punches are difficult to block, clinching against him is a challenge, and absorbing clean shots is highly dangerous.

In his fight against Jared Anderson, Bakole dominated for most of the bout—so convincingly that many experts began comparing his power to George Foreman’s.

Both fighters have proven durability, but there are some key aspects to consider.

Parker has lost three times but only once by stoppage. He went the distance against Joshua and Whyte, despite their power. However, Joe Joyce was the first and only fighter to stop him. That fight saw Parker take prolonged punishment before being unable to continue—not due to a clean knockout but due to sheer exhaustion.

Bakole also has a solid chin, but it has rarely been tested, as he doesn't allow opponents many opportunities to land. Parker, however, punches harder than Jared Anderson. If he can land consistently, Bakole’s chin will certainly be tested.

Riyadh doesn’t give either fighter a home advantage.

Joseph Parker will be fighting in Saudi Arabia for the fourth time in a row. Meanwhile, Bakole has already fought there once, when he stopped Carlos Takam.

This is a major challenge for both fighters.

Parker has reestablished himself as a top contender after a rough patch that included two disappointing fights against Chisora and a loss to Joyce. His current form is among the best of his career, and he will do everything possible to hold on to this opportunity.

For Bakole, this is the step up he’s been demanding for years. He has often claimed to have dominated sparring sessions against elite heavyweights, but sparring success and actual fights are two different things.

This fight could be the defining moment of Bakole’s career, and he took it on just two days’ notice—a risk that could either backfire or propel him into true title contention.