“Who’s next? How can I fight for the world title next? If [Oleksandr] Usyk wants a dance partner next, then we can get Uncle Frank [Warren] in here.”
Those were the words of Joseph Parker after he dispatched Martin Bakole inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia.
With the New Zealander losing his chance at becoming a two-time world champion when IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois withdrew through illness, Parker took the opportunity to put himself in the frame to fight WBC, WBA (Super) and WBO king Oleksandr Usyk.
Dubois’ illness could have a huge impact on the heavyweight scene with the Briton now eyeing an undisputed clash with Ukraine’s Usyk.
But Usyk is not short of challengers and it seems everyone is lining up to fight him.
Despite not looking to instantly avenge his brutal knockout by Dubois back in September 2024, Anthony Joshua remains on the scene and still has ambitions on becoming a three-time champion.
BBC Sport looks at the heavyweight landscape after a week or shocks and a night of knockouts.
What will Dubois do next?
According to Dubois’ promoter, Queensberry’s Frank Warren, the heavyweight was devastated to be pulled from the Parker bout. It would have been Dubois’ second defence and he was due to earn a massive purse. He keeps his belt of course.
But while one door closes, another might have opened for Dubois.
We had thought the 28-year-old, should he have beaten Parker, would push for a rematch with Usyk. Considering the boxing schedule and recovery time, it could have been quite the wait but now the Briton’s next fight could be the undisputed meeting with the 38-year-old Usyk.
With no mandatory challenger currently listed for Dubois’ IBF title, he remains free to select his next opponent and Usyk has already said he wants to do it.
It would be heartbreak for Parker, 33, who has spent nearly seven years fighting his way back towards a world title fight.
Bakole, who is ranked number three with the IBF, was set to fight Efe Ajagba on 2 May but that fight is now in doubt after his second-round stoppage loss to Parker.
Those were the words of Joseph Parker after he dispatched Martin Bakole inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia.
With the New Zealander losing his chance at becoming a two-time world champion when IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois withdrew through illness, Parker took the opportunity to put himself in the frame to fight WBC, WBA (Super) and WBO king Oleksandr Usyk.
Dubois’ illness could have a huge impact on the heavyweight scene with the Briton now eyeing an undisputed clash with Ukraine’s Usyk.
But Usyk is not short of challengers and it seems everyone is lining up to fight him.
Despite not looking to instantly avenge his brutal knockout by Dubois back in September 2024, Anthony Joshua remains on the scene and still has ambitions on becoming a three-time champion.
BBC Sport looks at the heavyweight landscape after a week or shocks and a night of knockouts.
What will Dubois do next?
According to Dubois’ promoter, Queensberry’s Frank Warren, the heavyweight was devastated to be pulled from the Parker bout. It would have been Dubois’ second defence and he was due to earn a massive purse. He keeps his belt of course.
But while one door closes, another might have opened for Dubois.
We had thought the 28-year-old, should he have beaten Parker, would push for a rematch with Usyk. Considering the boxing schedule and recovery time, it could have been quite the wait but now the Briton’s next fight could be the undisputed meeting with the 38-year-old Usyk.
With no mandatory challenger currently listed for Dubois’ IBF title, he remains free to select his next opponent and Usyk has already said he wants to do it.
It would be heartbreak for Parker, 33, who has spent nearly seven years fighting his way back towards a world title fight.
Bakole, who is ranked number three with the IBF, was set to fight Efe Ajagba on 2 May but that fight is now in doubt after his second-round stoppage loss to Parker.
BBC
