That left little time to find an opponent at just 48 hours notice, but Bakole has stepped up and will now take on Parker.
The 31-year-old from the Congo has a 21-1 record, with that sole defeat coming in 2018 against Michael Hunter. He has moved up the heavyweight ranks over the past couple of years, beating Carlos Takam in Riyadh in 2023 before proving far too good for Jared Anderson last August.
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole is scheduled to take place on Saturday 22 February, 2025.
The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will host.
The main card is expected to get underway at 6pm GMT, meaning the ring walks for Parker vs Bakole are expected at around 10pm.
That could change, however, depending on how the fights earlier on the card develop and whether the order is rearranged after Dubois’ withdrawal.
Parker vs Bakole undercard/fight card in full
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole
Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
Joseph Parker beat Zhilei Zhang in March 2024
Getty Images
How to watch Parker vs Bakole
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, Parker vs Bakole is being broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view for £19.99, with no subscription required and a seven-day free trial to DAZN also on offer.
The event is also available to purchase via Sky Sports Box Office for £24.95, and on TNT Sports Box Office for £19.99.
LIVE coverage: Follow the entire card with Standard Sport’s fight blog!
Parker vs Bakole prediction
It is difficult to know what to expect from Bakole at such short notice.
He was in the Congo on Thursday when accepting the fight and must now make the long trip to Riyadh, with effectively no time to settle in before he steps between the ropes on Saturday night.
Bakole does not have to worry about making weight but he will not be at peak fitness, meaning his best hope is to surely try and pile the pressure on Parker early and push for a quick stoppage.
Parker has the advantage in terms of physical condition but this is a big risk for him, having spent the last few months preparing to fight Dubois and now going up against an awkward opponent in Bakole with no real preparation.
The New Zealander will likely be cautious early on, knowing the fight will swing into his favour should it go into the later rounds, and he will hope to wear Bakole down and overcome a potential banana skin.
Parker by stoppage, round seven.
All fighters will weigh in on Friday. Check back in for results then!
