New Zealand’s Parker was due to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world championship, but the Londoner abruptly withdrew from the defence due to illness on Thursday.
That led to Bakole, a top-tier heavyweight contender, getting a call up at the shortest possible notice. While Friday’s weigh-in was taking place, Bakole was still in transit, having left the Congo to fly to Riyadh via Addis Ababa.
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Parker was bulking up specifically for the power-punching Dubois. But that added strength should help him against the heavy-set Bakole.
At 267lb, just under 19st 1lb, Parker came in the heaviest weight of his career before welcoming the new challenge that awaits on Saturday night.
“It’s been amazing,” said Parker. “To Daniel Dubois, I hope he gets better soon. To Martin Bakole, thank you for taking this fight at short notice.
“It’s been crazy, I’d like to thank Martin, I’m looking forward to being in a ring with him.
“I wanted this fight, I wanted to challenge myself and Bakole is right up there, bring him on!
“There are a few changes we’ve worked on, it will all come together!”
The show will go on and it remains a blockbuster card with the Parker vs Bakole heavyweight clash complementing the epic headline bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Beterbiev’s rematch with Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion will be the main event on Sky Sports Box Office.
First time around Beterbiev vs Bivol was a close, furiously fought fight, with both operating at the highest level of skill.
The contentious result, a majority decision that went in Beterbiev’s favour, divided opinion. They will look to settle that score on Saturday.
Both made the weight on Friday, with Beterbiev hitting the 175lb limit precisely. Bivol scaled 174lb 1oz.
An outstanding light-heavyweight contest will come early in the show on Saturday. Joshua Buatsi fights British rival Callum Smith, with the WBO interim strap on the line in their bout.
Smith, now the veteran campaigner, easily made the weight at 174lb 1oz. Buatsi, an unbeaten Olympic medallist, was also exactly on 175lb.
A huge heavyweight clash sees the gargantuan Zhilei Zhang tackle unbeaten dangerman Agit Kabayel.
Kabayel, who has a consistent knack for springing upsets, weighed 241lb. Zhang was far larger at 287lb 5oz.
A fantastically matched fight sees Israil Madrimov (152lb 1oz) take on talented American Vergil Ortiz (153lb 1oz).
Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz (159lb) once again successfully boiled his towering frame down to the middleweight limit. He challenges Carlos Adames (158lb 1oz) for the WBC world title on Saturday’s bill.
Another short-notice replacement, Josh Padley came in only this week to challenge WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson.
The Doncaster electrician gallantly accepted this surprise assignment. But at 134lb he cleared the first hurdle of making weight. But he will have a mountain to climb against the brilliantly skilful Stevenson, already a three-weight world champion, who was 134lb 1oz.
The Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol rematch will be live on Saturday February 22 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!
