Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole keys to victory: Breaking down tactics and styles of each heavyweight fighter

Did Joseph Parker's opponent for this weekend just become even more dangerous?

That is arguable after IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois had to withdraw Thursday due to a late illness, with Martin Bakole named as his replacement. So Saturday night will have Parker taking on Bakole at Riyadh Season’s The Last Crescendo at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN pay-per-view, which can be bought here . A shot against unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk could follow for the winner.

Will Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) use his package of speed, power and precision to handle the late replacement in Bakole? Or will Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) seize the opportunity with another emphatic knockout?

Let's analyze the keys to victory for both fighters.

Joseph Parker's keys to victory

Pepper Bakole with the jab

Parker has an excellent power jab that he especially used well in victories over Wilder and Zhang.

He must assert the weapon with speed to contest the blunt-traumatic force that Bakole possesses in his hands.

Whether it is flicking out that jab to keep Bakole at bay or sitting on it for a more powerful output, Parker's ability to score with the stick will keep the points increasing in his favor.

It will also open up his movement which is sorely needed against a home run hitter like Bakole.

Although the 6-foot-6, 284-pound Bakole was dazzling in his eye-popping fifth-round KO of Jared Anderson last August, he keeps his guard low and is a rather stationary target — boding well for Parker's jab and movement around the ring.

Make Bakole work with movement

Another part of Parker's fight game that makes him a special boxer is the way he moves around the ring.

This movement stifled the likes of Wilder and Zhang, forcing them to reset their offense.

It also went long ways toward him scoring points on the run as Parker was able to hit and not be hit against Wilder and get the better of Zhang doing the same — despite suffering two knockdowns in their March 2024 fight.

If he can make Bakole move and work, it could aid his chances to exit Riyadh with a big victory in tow.

Also, showing agility could spell the difference between him having his hand raised or looking up at the bright lights as Bakole's latest KO victim.

Change levels, explode up

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Watch Parker against Zhang and you'll see how he was able to brilliantly change levels and explode upwards with major pop to his right hand, landing the weapon flush and at angles.

While Bakole has deceptively quick hands, Parker can still rely on these same tactics.

They might be especially of use for when Bakole forces him into cramped quarters, although Parker tends to change levels and score with precise power punching better when he is working with more room in the center of the ring.

If he does this well against Bakole and the fight goes the distance, Parker might have enough to produce the victory.

Martin Bakole's keys to victory

Keep a tight guard

Run back the tape on Bakole's massive win over Anderson and you'll see the Congolese fighter often keep his right hand cocked by his chin but his left hand well below the waist.

He has got to tighten up that guard against a veteran like Parker who could feast with the jab and a hit and don't get hit strategy.

Crowd Parker's space, blast him over the top

When using the left hand as a range-finding jab to set up a power right, Parker fell victim to Zhang coming over the top with a straight left which landed flush and put the New Zealander on his backside in their March fight.

Bakole, who is the same height as Zhang, should look to do the same.

He also has a quick, thudding left-right combo which he could unleash from the same position when he spots this Parker tendency.

Bakole would be aided in walking Parker down to crowd his space as cutting off the former world champ's ring real estate will help him smother with his outrageous power.

Unload with uppercuts

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

If Bakole is able to absorb Parker's shots early, it is up to the Congolese fighter to walk through and launch his uppercuts.

With either hand, Bakole's uppercuts are compact and sneaky.

They appear as if they don't have much on them but detonate with blunt force which could very well see Parker taste the canvas en route to another career-building victory in Bakole's ascension up the heavyweight ranks.

Watch Parker vs Bakole / Beterbiev vs Bivol live on DAZN PPV

Watch Parker vs Bakole and the full Last Crescendo fight card, including Beterbiev vs Bivol, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

The PPV is available to buy now at  £19.99  in UK and $25.99 in US. 

Buying the DAZN PPV offers a range of extra benefits. including  alternative commentary  options with  Adam Smith  or  True Geordie  or  Showbizz the Adult ; local language commentary; entry to a prize draw for tickets to Chris Eubank Jr. vs Connor Benn* (for UK only); and a seven-day free trial of the full DAZN platform.

Watch the fight night anywhere with DAZN via smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and PC's / laptops.

For PPV costs in your country and to buy now, click here .

*UK only. Restrictions apply. See T&Cs on help.dazn.com.  Full T&C's here

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