Joseph Parker scored an electrifying victory on February 22, 2025, when he knocked out Martin Bakole during a high-stakes boxing event held at the Venue Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. Originally set to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title, Parker had to adjust to facing Bakole after Dubois pulled out due to illness.
Bakole, the Congolese heavyweight, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to step up and fight Parker. "For me, this means so much to be chosen as the replacement for Daniel Dubois for this big card, for this big event. I can't wait. It’s incredible. It feels like I’m dreaming, but it’s not. I think I will shock the world. A boxer is like a soldier—always ready to go to war. So, I'm ready," Bakole said.
The bout was part of a larger event organized by Turki Al-Sheikh, which also featured notable fights, including the headline clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the light heavyweight championship. Initially, the show was supposed to take place at the Kingdom Arena, which hosts up to 25,000 spectators, but organizers moved the event to accommodate the 6,000-capacity Venue Riyadh Season over concerns about unfilled seats.
Parker, who boasts an impressive record of 35 wins, including 23 by knockout, has now solidified his status within the heavyweight division. His victory over Bakole, who had 21 wins under his belt with 16 knockouts, came swiftly as he finished the fight early, demonstrating his power and skill.
Throughout the evening of boxing, multiple bouts caught the attention of fans, with Parker's victory being one of the most notable. The results of the other matches showcased the level of competition present at the event:
- Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
- Shakur Stevenson defeated Josh Pedley via TKO in the ninth round.
- Carlos Adames retained his WBC world middleweight title after a split draw with Hamza Shiraz.
- Virgil Ortiz won by unanimous decision against Israil Madriymov, highlighting his prowess.
- Key matchups also included Zhang Zhilei and Callum Smith stealing showdowns with impressive performances.
Parker's victory puts him back on track within the heavyweight division, potentially setting him on course to challenge for the title held by Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk, who expressed interest in regaining the status of undisputed champion after vacated titles.
Overall, this spectacular night of boxing not only thrilled fans but also solidified the prominence of Saudi Arabia as a new hub for significant boxing events, reflecting the country's growing investment and interest in the sport. Parker's knockout, alongside the remarkable performances from other fighters, marked the occasion as one for the books, raising anticipation for future bouts within the division.
With the boxing world buzzing about the results, fans are eager to see what the future holds for Parker and other headliners following the event. After such a decisive victory, it's clear Parker aims to climb the ranks and chase the championship glory once more.