Daniel Dubois’ replacement Martin Bakole ‘likely to weigh OVER 300 lbs’- after stepping in for the Brit just 48 hours before title fight against Joseph Parker

Bakole was confirmed as Dubois’ replacement 48 hours before fight with Parker

Congolese heavyweight boasts a professional record of 21-1 and has 16 KO wins

The 31-year-old weighed-in at 284 lbs for his last fight against Jared Anderson

Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole could be forgiven for arriving for his fight against Joseph Parker in less than optimal shape.

The 31-year-old was confirmed as Daniel Dubois’ replacement after the IBF heavyweight champion withdrew from the title fight with Parker just 48 hours before the event.

Bakole boasts a record of 21-1, with that sole defeat coming in 2018 against Michael Hunter. He has won 16 of his fights by knock-out to date.

Bakole stands at a mammoth 6 ft 5 ins and weighed in at 284.4 lbs when he defeated Jared Anderson last August. However, according to a picture of him earlier this week, he could tip the scales at over 300 lbs on Saturday night.

Promoter Eddie Hearn questioned the heavyweight’s fitness, given it is one of his weaknesses even after a full training camp.

‘I wasn’t expecting Parker to fight Bakole,’ he told The Stomping Ground. ‘It might be a better fight than Dubois-Parker.

Martin Bakole was confirmed as Daniel Dubois’ replacement just48 hours before his fight with Joseph Parker

The Congolese fight could weight significantly more on Saturday night than after his usual training camps

Parker welcomed the match-up against the heavy-handed Bakole, who is considered as one of the most dangerous heavyweights around

‘One of Bakole’s weakest points is his fitness. So, you’d have to think sitting in the Congo, he’s not 110 per cent, but he believes he can win. Good luck to him. Good luck to Joe. The show continues.’

If Bakole can connect with his devastating punches it could be a very short night for Parker. But to his credit, the New Zealander welcomed the contest when questioned about his thoughts on his new opponent.

‘Oh, let’s go,’ Parker told IFL TV. ‘Sweet as, Spencer has just told me now.

‘It is all part of boxing [Dubois withdrawal] and the journey, but I guess one opportunity goes and another one comes and I am fighting Martin Bakole.

‘He has been waiting for a big fight so let’s get it on.

‘Hopefully we can revisit this [Dubois] fight down the line, I want to be the champion of the world.

‘Bakole is the most avoided heavyweight but I like to challenge myself, we had a quick talk and welcomed anyone and we have now got Martin Bakole and that’s great.’

Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev had initially been touted as options, prior to Bakole being confirmed as Dubois’ replacement.

The rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol had already been designated as the main event on a huge card with Dubois vs Parker as the co-feature.

The fight in Saudi Arabia was a match-up between two of the world’s most in-form heavyweights.