IF you previously remained unconvinced that boxing is the most dramatic, awe-inspiring and truly extraordinary sport on the planet, then this week’s series of events have surely changed your mind.
First of all, we had Floyd Schofield pull out of his matchup with Shakur Stevenson due to an illness, presenting Josh Padley – who was, quite literally, in the thick of his day job as an electrician – with a life-changing opportunity to claim the WBC world lightweight title.
It did not take long, however, before the sickness bug latched itself onto IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, scuppering his hotly anticipated clash with Joseph Parker.
In hindsight, it was perhaps wishful thinking to expect each fight scheduled for tomorrow night to remain on what has been dubbed the greatest card of all time.
Boxing, after all, will always deliver swings and roundabouts, and, like with anything, you just simply have to take the rough with the smooth.
Following Dubois’ exit, though, emerged what might have been the most formidable option for Parker, 35-3 (23 KOs).
In truth, the former heavyweight champion would have likely been forgiven for taking a hastily arranged tune-up fight, nothing more than a chance to remain active under these less than desirable circumstances.
But instead, the New Zealander will now square off against Martin Bakole on just three days’ notice, with the two fearsome contenders putting their gargantuan set of stones firmly on display – not literally, of course – in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Logic would dictate that Bakole, 21-1 (16 KOs), who was seemingly enjoying some downtime in his home nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has very little chance against a man who not only comes off a full training camp but looks to be in the shape of his life.
Yet still, the old cliché that, in the heavyweight division, one punch can change everything, may in fact ring true, with the 33-year-old possessing an arsenal of potent weapons which, at any given moment, could produce a devastating finish.
That much proved to be true against highly touted prospect Jared Anderson last August, back when the Congolese wrecking machine steamrolled his opponent in five rounds.
Parker, on the other hand, has the technical prowess and speed to dance rings around his somewhat static opponent and, should he get through the first five rounds unscathed, one suspects that his more conditioned engine would prove too polished for Bakole.
When considering the drastic difference in preparation, then, a unanimous decision victory for Parker, or perhaps even a late stoppage, appears to be the most likely outcome, seeing the 33-year-old retain his WBO interim strap.
That said, Bakole should only be commended for accepting this fight on such short notice, especially when he had an IBF final eliminator against Efe Ajagba lined up for May.
Full Card Previews Below
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2
12 x 3 minute rounds – IBF, WBO, WBA and WBC World Light Heavyweight Titles
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
12 x 3 minute rounds – WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
12 x 3 minute rounds – WBC Interim Heavyweight Title
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
12 x 3 minute rounds – WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Title
