The New Zealander is one of the world’s most in-form fighters right now. In the last 18 months, he has beaten Zhilei Zhang despite being put down twice, and has also beaten once fearsome American knockout artist Deontay Wilder, both on points.

Martin Bakole took a big risk by agreeing to step in for a sick Daniel Dubois to face Joseph Parker on 48 hours' notice. That risk did not pay off for Bakole as a glancing Parker right hand to the temple put Bakole down and forced the corner to halt the fight prior to the end of the second round of the co-main event on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs.

Joseph Parker defied his doubters with a demolition of Martin Bakole on Saturday, after Daniel Dubois withdrew due to illness. Dubois was due to defend the IBF heavyweight title against Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the Briton fell ill on Thursday. As such, organisers were left scrambling for a replacement on two days’ notice.