Feb 22nd Card

[diehard]

https://www.boxingscene.com/joseph-parke...al--205412

[bart]

Im making a big uninformed allegation that this sickness is a cover story to hide adverse findings in DD pre fight testing.....
If this allegation is subject to slander my name is Die .....

[diehard]

No bart, I'm in enough trouble with enough people as it is. DDD has a viral infection. Anyway, did Bakole have a fight lined up with anybody prior to this announcement? Who was he training to fight?

[bart]

yes Agajba in April i believe IBF eliminator
Has been training and possible was on standby anyways for this show
Both have ready made excuses for a loss
Bakole - I wasn't properly fit
Parker- I trained for and was focused on DD... motivation lost after title chance gone

[diehard]

Watched some of the Takam/Bakole fight. Seems that Bakole was vulnerable inside, as Takam whacked him a few times. I think he needs space to throw his big punches. JP needs to control the distance, and not trade with Bakole as he keeps his hands low and dares you to close the distance.

[diehard]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/boxing/...7NFGZABJA/

[jamieson2]

Both have ready made excuses for a loss

No Excuses Once the Bell Rings

Once you step into that ring, there are no excuses. Given the circumstances, this match-up might actually be a more favourable assignment for Joseph Parker. While Martin Bakole is widely regarded as the division’s boogeyman, Parker’s willingness to take him on without hesitation speaks volumes.

After already proving the doubters wrong as the underdog against both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, Parker’s decision to face Bakole on short notice only adds to his growing reputation. If he secures another win here, it further solidifies his status as one of the most fearless and in-form heavyweights in the division.

[diehard]

yes Agajba in April i believe IBF eliminator
Has been training and possible was on standby anyways for this show
Both have ready made excuses for a loss
Bakole - I wasn't properly fit
Parker- I trained for and was focused on DD... motivation lost after title chance gone

Don't really mind excuses. They mean nothing. A win is a win on paper. A loss is a loss. But Bakole couldn't be in top shape 6 weeks out from his fight with Agajba.

[bart]

He never looks in shape.
I think he was on standby to be chosen so quickly and has been training incase this opportunity arose.

[jamieson2]

Don't really mind excuses. They mean nothing. A win is a win on paper. A loss is a loss. But Bakole couldn't be in top shape 6 weeks out from his fight with Agajba.

Excuses Are for the Weak

With six weeks still left in his training camp, he’s probably far from being fully prepared. Add in six months of inactivity, the long journey to Riyadh, and the challenge of acclimatizing in such a short time—stepping into the ring under these conditions is no small task.

The weigh-in will be telling—will he look undercooked, or will he appear sharp despite the circumstances? One thing is certain: when the bell rings, none of it will matter.