Riyadh’s ANB Arena erupted in disbelief on Saturday night as Joseph Parker steamrolled Martin Bakole inside two rounds to retain his WBO Interim Heavyweight Title — a fight that seemed destined for chaos before the first bell even sounded.

Just days before the bout, Parker’s original opponent Daniel Dubois had fallen ill, leaving promoters scrambling to save the co-feature attraction. Rumours swirled of Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye, and Mourad Aliev stepping in, but it was the Congolese powerhouse Martin Bakole — ranked No. 2 in the WBO standings — who got the call. With little time to prepare, Bakole jetted in from Kinshasa, arriving in Riyadh barely 24 hours before fight night, borrowing Dubois’ gloves and missing the official weigh-in entirely.

Parker, meanwhile, tipped the scales at a career-high 267 pounds, looking every inch the seasoned campaigner under Andy Lee’s meticulous guidance. Bakole, weighing a hefty 310 pounds, cut an imposing figure but had precious little rest after his late-night arrival.

From the opening bell, Parker set the tempo with sharp feints and heavy body work, aiming to sap Bakole’s energy. The Congolese challenger tried to impose his raw strength, marching forward with his trademark looping hooks, but Parker’s crisp timing and ring IQ soon took control. The New Zealander’s jab pierced through Bakole’s guard, his right hand landing with unerring accuracy.

By the second round, the writing was on the wall. Parker, cool and clinical, waited for the perfect moment to strike. A thunderous right over the top crashed onto Bakole’s temple, sending him stumbling back, disoriented. Referee Steve Gray watched closely as Bakole’s legs betrayed him, and moments later his trainer Billy Nelson threw in the towel. Official time: 2 minutes 17 seconds of Round Two.

It was a statement victory for Parker, who has now extended his winning streak since his loss to Joe Joyce. The New Zealander’s power, conditioning, and composure shone through — a testament to the work done with coach Andy Lee and nutritionist George Lockhart. His punches were crisp, his balance impeccable, and his timing razor-sharp.

As the dust settled, Parker’s camp celebrated a victory that underlined his resurgence among the heavyweight elite. For Bakole, the defeat will sting — a punishing reminder of the risks that come with short-notice heroics.

In the end, it was professionalism over power, preparation over size. Joseph Parker’s precision proved too much for Martin Bakole, sealing a memorable second-round stoppage that reinforced Parker’s status as one of the most dangerous and disciplined heavyweights in world boxing.

Final verdict: Joseph Parker retains the WBO Interim Heavyweight Title with a dominant second-round TKO over Martin Bakole.