Joseph Parker and Martin Bakole meet in an unexpected fight tonight, with heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois ill and unable to box Parker.
Dubois was due to defend the IBF title against Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the Briton withdrew on Thursday, leaving Parker needing a new opponent.
So, in steps Congolese boxer Bakole, who is often referred to as the “most-avoided” heavyweight in the sport. Despite that tag, New Zealand’s Parker accepted the fight on just two days’ notice.
The 33-year-old faces Bakole, 31, before the main event pits Artur Beterbiev against Dmitry Bivol for the second time in four months. In October, Beterbiev won a close decision against Bivol to become undisputed light-heavyweight champion, and that status is on the line again.
Here’s all you need to know.
When are the fights?
The event will take place on Saturday 22 February at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The first fight of the night is expected at 4.15pm GMT (8.15am PT / 10.15am CT / 11.15am ET). Parker vs Bakole is scheduled to begin at 9.10pm GMT (1.10pm PT / 3.10pm CT / 4.10pm ET), and ring walks for Beterbiev vs Bivol are due at 10.30pm GMT (2.30pm PT / 4.30pm CT / 5.30pm ET).
How can I watch?
The event will cost £19.99 on DAZN and TNT in the UK, and £19.95 on Sky in the UK ($25.99 on DAZN in the US; €19.99 on DAZN in Ireland; €24.95 on Sky in Ireland). Viewers do not need a subscription to any of these platforms to purchase the pay-per-view.
Buying the event on DAZN will grant viewers a free, seven-day trial to the platform’s full services – and UK viewers will enter a free prize draw to win tickets for Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn. Purchase a subscription to DAZN here, with plans starting at £14.99 a month.
Odds
Beterbiev – 4/5
Bivol – 11/10
Draw – 14/1
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Full card (subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion)
Artur Beterbiev (C) vs Dmitry Bivol 2 (undisputed light-heavyweight titles)
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole (WBO interim heavyweight title)
Shakur Stevenson (C) vs Josh Padley (WBC lightweight title)
Carlos Adames (C) vs Hamzah Sheeraz (WBC middleweight title)
Vergil Ortiz Jr (C) vs Israil Madrimov (WBC interim super-welterweight title)
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel (vacant WBC interim heavyweight title)
Joshua Buatsi (C) vs Callum Smith (WBO interim light-heavyweight title)
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