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'Ready to shock the world' - Martin Bakole manager issues exciting warning to Joseph Parker and all boxing fans
Martin Bakole's manager Ben Shalom insists his fighter is ready to shock the world and announce himself at the top of the heavyweight division on Saturday night, when he fights Joseph Parker for the WBO interim world title.
The Congolese fighter is stepping into this huge fight on the incredible Last Crescendo fight card at just two days' notice. That follows the cancellation of Parker's bout with IBF championship Daniel Dubois, after the champ was forced out through illness on Thursday night .
Bakole, now training and living in Scotland, was set to face Efe Ajagba on May 2 in an IBF final title eliminator, and had been on holiday in his home country the Democratic Republic Of The Congo when he got the call from Shalom.
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Shalom told DAZN : "When I first heard the rumours I wondered if it was social media fake news. But I said to the team, if this was real, would we take it, and we all said 'yes'.
"I suggested it to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and he wanted this fight. The speed he moves at is incredible, it literally got done there and then. It is an unbelievable moment and for it to actually happen.
"If the fighter wants to do something I will always support this and Martin wanted to do it. For me it was all about if Martin's mind was right for this.
"With no hesitation he said he wanted this fight, that told me everything I needed to know."
The 31-year-old was last in the ring in August 2024, his only fight of the year. Here he destroyed the previously unbeaten American Jared Anderson in Los Angeles within five rounds, flooring his opponent three times in the process.
That was a fight witnessed by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Bakole's brutal display will have been a determining factor in him getting this late call up.
However, having had just three fights in the last two years, there will be question marks over Bakole's fitness, shape and stamina. His full training camp for his planned May 2 fight was not set to start until he returned from his current vacation.
A 6'6" and around the 280lb mark, Bakole is someone that needs to keep on top of his shape in order to be at his brutal best. But Shalom has no concerns over the giant heavyweight.
"He is 100 percent into this fight, he wanted it, there was no standing in the way of this. On Saturday night he wants to shock the world and he is coming to win. Trust me, Martin is ready to go.
"This has come from him and him only, he wants this and is ready to go.
"For me, Joseph Parker is the fittest heavyweight out there. So, over 12 rounds it could be tough with Martin coming in at two days' notice. But if Martin can pull this off he puts himself he announces himself at the very top of the division.
"Everyone has taken a big risk in making this fight happen - Martin, Joseph, His Excellency - so everyone needs to take a lot of credit.
"But it is a phenomenal fight and everyone should be very excited about it."
Watch Parker vs Bakole and full Last Crescendo card live on DAZN PPV
Watch Parker vs Bakole and the full Last Crescendo fight card, including Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
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