Bakole weighed in at 315 lb - is this fight a waste of time?

[Scotland The Brave]

I didn't think they'd replace Dubois with anyone in the Top 10 so it was a surprise they picked Bakole to fight Parker. It seemed like madness to put a serious opponent opposite Parker, with his WBO mandatory position on the line, at such short notice.

Now, this Bakole fight seems like a lot less of a risk. Firstly, they made Martin take THREE flights - Congo to Ethiopia to Dubai to Saudi. Yes it was in Business Class but Turki and his ilk have private jets and could have brought him over in comfort and style. This way, he's flying commercial, changing planes, hanging around for airport layovers and arriving at 2am on the morning of the fight!!

Now we learn he's clearly not been training. Martin Bakole weighed about 285 lb for the Jared Anderson fight. He's turned up 30 lbs heavier for the Parker fight. He's going to be slow and will gas quickly. In contrast, Parker has looked very mobile and elusive in his last few fights - although Joe has come in heavier than normal as well, for some reason I can't fathom.

Given all that, it seems like this is going to be an easy night for Joe and a painful experience for Martin. Bakole may even get so tired he'll get knocked out. And the Saudi's are paying him less than £500k if the reports coming out are to be believed.

[dan_cov]

Not that its much better but Bakole weighed in at 315lbs wearing clothes - Jeans, t shirt, a ton of bling, cap, shoes etc
I'd guess he's around the 305lb mark.

I can't think of a time Parker had an easy night apart from vs Wilder who threw about 4 punches over 12 rounds.
Its still very intriguing, Bakole could be 400lbs fresh of the sofa, I don't think he is an easy night for anyone.

Parker doesn't have the power, the skills or the movement to make this an easy night.

[TMLT87]

Doesnt necessarily mean anything. Maybe Bakole is even stronger and harder hitting at that weight and it wont effect his cardio as much as expected? who knows.

I think its a good fight.

[NihonJim]

30lbs on a 300lb man is 10%. It's not a huge amount heavier.

Bakole been doing the most talking lately about walking into gyms and smashing all the top fighters so it is what it is let's see on a few hours.

[TheIronMike]

Bakole got his career win against a guy who had a competitive fight with Charles Martin. Parker should win this

[PRvazquez]

I’m 120 he can eat at least 2 of me I think .

[Toffee]

We keep having this debate on here. "Ruiz is just wearing a heavy sombrero", "Fury's wearing a leather jacket", "Bakole is in jeans", "Bigger makes him stronger/more resilient".

Out of shape is out of shape. I don't care if you're a heavyweight. Optimal is better than overweight.

He must still think he's got enough to give it a good go but it's clearly not going to be the best of him.

But no excuses. He's a professional athlete and they know there's a chance they could get an opportunity at late notice. Once he accepts the fight, every excuse goes out of the window. He's declaring himself ready.

[SteveM]

I’m 120 he can eat at least 2 of me I think .

If you trained real hard and lost some weight you could create the new light-minimum-weight class <102lbs

[Boomer]

Bakole is like a big gorilla. He comes at you slow and telegraphs every move. I get it that he takes the fight on very short notice but coming in at well over 300 lbs. does him no favors. Joe Parker on the other hand should be in pretty good shape as he should be prepared to fight tonight. Of coarse with the heavy's one good shot and say goodnight. This will be Parker's fight if he uses his head. Bakole is really a bid dummy!!!

[mlac]

Bakolie could very well just walk Parker down in the first few rounds. He is a man mountain & although Parker is his career heaviest he doesn't hit hard enough to gain Bakolies respect imo.