Lupesoliai La'aulialemalietoa Joseph Parker made a statement in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night, delivering a vicious second-round knockout over Martin Bakole.
Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) landed a crushing overhand right to the top of Bakole's head, sending him crashing to the canvas. Though Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) struggled to his feet, his corner wasted no time throwing in the towel, sealing a dominant victory for Parker.
Stepping in against Bakole on short notice was no small risk, but Parker rose to the challenge and proved once again why he remains a serious contender in the heavyweight division. With this win, he successfully defended his interim WBO title and extended his winning streak to six, with his last three victories — all in Saudi Arabia — further solidifying his place among boxing's elite.
Originally slated to fight for the IBF title before Daniel Dubois withdrew, Parker has made it clear he's not just in the mix, he's coming for the throne.
“I want to say, who is next? How do I fight for a world title next? If Usyk wants a dance partner, we'll get Frank Warren in here. I want to fight for a world title, and I'd love to be champion of the world again.”
Parker's warrior spirit was on full display, proving he'll fight anyone, anywhere, at any time. But beyond the power and precision of his performance, one of the most moving moments came post-fight when he gave thanks to God in Samoan — a proud reminder of his roots.
Malo lava, Joseph Parker. The road to the world title is calling.
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, March 2025 (Vol. 2 No. 3).
March 2025 · Digital Magazine
