Bakole had garnered the label of "the boogeyman of the heavyweight division," with his power, size and ability to walk down opponents leading to trouble finding opponents. To Parker's credit, he jumped at the chance to face Bakole after Dubois pulled out of the bout, taking the IBF heavyweight title with him.

Martin Bakole flew in last minute to face Joseph Parker in the co-main event of a the latest Riyadh Season show, and heavyweight rival Derek Chisora was not