Is Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole a world title fight? Giant heavyweight steps in at short notice for Daniel Dubois

Joseph Parker will take on Martin Bakole this weekend in Saudi Arabia, and not Daniel Dubois.

This is because the Londoner has picked up an illness that has ruled him out of the contest, which had thrown the whole fight into doubt.

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But Parker will fight, and a replacement has been found at short notice, such short notice that Bakole didn’t even make the weigh-in.

Instead, he was travelling to Saudi Arabia, and Frank Warren filled in a hilarious moment.

But with Dubois out, what happens to his belt?

Is Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole a world title fight?

The simple answer is no.

This is because the IBF belt is owned by Dubois, and just because he is ill, doesn’t mean he loses it.

Of course, this isn’t an ideal situation for Parker, who had wanted the chance to become a world champion again.

Had he won, the New Zealander would have also got the chance to face Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed title fight.

But Usyk has now declared he just wants to face Dubois because the Londoner still has the IBF belt, so they can still have an undisputed clash even though Dubois isn’t going to fight Parker.

Speaking to DAZN, Usyk said: “I want to fight next with Dubois.”

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However, while not a world title, there will be a belt on the line.

This is because Parker is fighting to defend his WBO interim belt.

Usyk holds the actual version, but as it stands, the winner of Parker versus Bakole would be the mandatory challenger for that belt.

This means Bakole could end up fighting one of the best heavyweight boxers ever very soon if he can see off Parker.

But it’s not that straightforward because Usyk will be pursuing the unification bout, and that takes precedent over any mandatory.

The WBO’s president Gustavo Olivieri spoke to talkSPORT.com about the process for after Parker versus Bakole.

He said: “The winner of Bakole-Parker will be mandatory for Usyk.

“The question is when will the mandatory will be enforced.

“It remains to be seen because of the existence of a rotation agreement (order of mandatories) between the sanction bodies.

“Most likely, the WBO is next in line, however, if a unification request (Usyk vs Dubois) is submitted to the Championship Committee, it would certainly be considered as unifications take precedence over mandatories and serve the best interests of boxing.”

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Therefore, the winner of Parker and Bakole, on the Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol 2 card, won’t take a world title home.

Instead, they will claim a belt and the interim WBO title.

This could then lead to a potential mandatory challenge against Usyk, but it also might lead to nothing if the Ukrainian gets his way.

Parker vs Bakole: Date and start time

The 12-round heavyweight bout will take place on Saturday, February 22 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Official start times are now confirmed, with the undercard set to get going at 3:30pm UK time.

Then Parker vs Bakole is set to start at 9:40pm, but that time is subject to change.

talkSPORT has secured the commentary rights to this massive event.

Adam Catterall will present live coverage from Riyadh on talkSPORT at 8pm with commentary coming from Gareth A Davies, Spencer Oliver and John Rawling.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

You can also follow the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube Channel for all the latest news, views and exclusive content.

We’ll also be holding a live watch-along for all the action over on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube channel.

The entire card will also be streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View and UK fans can pay £19.99 to watch the action here.

Parker vs Bakole: Undercard

Subject to change

All times UK

• MAIN EVENT: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles
• Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole – for interim WBO heavyweight title
• Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley – for WBC lightweight title
• Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for WBC middleweight title
• Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for interim WBC super-welterweight title
• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for interim WBC heavyweight title
• Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for interim WBO light-heavyweight title