Martin Bakole made headlines as he was an extremely short-notice opponent for Joseph Parker on February 22nd.
Following a Daniel Dubois withdrawal, Parker was left without an opponent less than two days before his co-main event fight at ‘The Last Crescendo’.
Remarkably, Bakole stepped up to the plate to challenge Parker for his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title.
Although fans thought Parker was taking a risk, it was a short night at the office for the New Zealander, who earned a second-round knockout.
A right hand would catch Bakole and send him to the canvas, as fans were not surprised by Parker’s victory. However, one former champion does not feel that the result occurred due to the short-notice nature of the bout.
Anthony Joshua disregards short notice as reason for Martin Bakole’s loss
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has given his thoughts on the co-main event at ‘The Last Crescendo’.
When speaking about the bout between Parker and Bakole, the Englishman did not feel as if the Congolese fighter’s lack of preparation caused him to lose the bout.
In an interview with The Stomping Ground, Joshua said, “Regardless if Bakole had five days or five weeks, that punch from a heavyweight knocks down or knocks out anyone.”
“A shot that lands like that knocks out anyone.”
Joshua would go on to add that “Bakole believes in himself,” and that is why he took the fight on such short notice.
‘AJ’ rounded off by saying that he felt as if Bakole was a “great addition to the heavyweight division,” but did not indicate as to whether or not he would be open to fighting him.
Bakole has called out Joshua on numerous occasions, however, it is unclear as to whether or not the fight will be made.
Anthony Joshua eyes Daniel Dubois rematch
Although Oleksandr Usyk has shown an interest in fighting Dubois to become a unified heavyweight champion, Joshua has also expressed interest in fighting ‘DDD’.
Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Joshua said “of course” when asked if he wanted a rematch with Dubois.
The current IBF world heavyweight champion knocked out Joshua in Wembley Stadium last September.
Joshua would add that he was planning on knocking Dubois out should the two have a rematch.