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Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole, what's on the line as Oleksandr Usyk looms?
The boxing world went into a frenzy on Thursday night after another fight on Riyadh Season's Last Crescendo bill was hit by illness.
This time it was the IBF heavyweight title fight between defending champion Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker. Dubois has been forced to withdraw after coming down with illness which has rendered him unable to compete.
What followed was a frantic search for a replacement moment, and within just a couple of hours, a new foe for Parker was confirmed, the dangerous Martin Bakole .
- Read next | Tony Bellew makes his prediction for last minute Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole heavyweight battle
While there will be no world title on the line, Parker is the WBO's interim heavyweight champion, but will he be putting his belt on the line in a fight which has been put together at the last minute.
DAZN News explains everything you need to know.
Is there a title on the line for the Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole fight?
It has been confirmed by the WBO president Gustavo Olivieri in a post on X that Parker's interim heavyweight title will be at stake against Bakole.
"The WBO will sanction Parker vs. Bakole for the interim title at Saturday's "Last Crescendo" event in Riyadh," Olivieri wrote.
"The winner will become the WBO mandatory challenger for Usyk."
Will the Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole winner face Oleksandr Usyk next?
As explained by the WBO president, the winner of Parker vs Bakole will become the interim champion and therefore a mandatory challenger to Usyk who holds the full title.
However, whether this fight is next is down to whether the sanctioning body calls for a mandatory defence.
With Dubois holding on to his IBF heavyweight title, it's likely that an undisputed fight with Usyk will take precedence.
What does this mean for Daniel Dubois?
Facing Parker was a voluntary defence of his IBF world title for Dubois. Therefore, Dubois will not be stripped of his title with the New Zealander not being a mandatory challenger.
When it comes to what is next for Dubois, he could now go full steam ahead for an undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk, or even face the winner of Parker vs Bakole.
Watch Parker vs Bakole and full Last Crescendo card 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.
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