Martin Bacoll is expected to be rewarded with a “big” heavyweight match in New York City in May following his defeat when he knocked out to Joseph Parker on Saturday.
Bakole flew to Riyadh with a two-day notification, replacing IBF champion Daniel Dubois after Britt got sick prior to his title defense.
The Congolese fighter suffered a cruel second round knockout loss on Parker, but his promoter Ben Shalom thinks he doesn’t have to wait long for an opportunity to get his career back on track.
Shalom said Sky Sports News: “Martin wanted to have a big opportunity to save the show. It’s always a big risk and I don’t know any other fighter planes on Earth that would have done it.
“But he wanted a fight to ensure he fought with notice in the Great War in May.
“We still believe he is the most dangerous heavyweight on the planet, and he will show it at training camp for his next fight.”
Before agreeing to face Parker, Bacall was expected to face heavyweight competitor Efeagba in the IBF Eliminator to win a future shot in the DuBois title.
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Here’s why no one wants to fight Bacall
Rather than waiting for an eliminator against Ajagba, it remains unclear how IBF will see Bakole’s decision to face Parker.
Before his defeat by Parker, Bacall (21-2) built a reputation as one of the most dangerous and avoided fighters in the heavyweight division.
He put together a 10 consecutive wins after his defeat to Michael Hunter in 2018. The final defeat was an impressive knockout victory over American outlook Jared Anderson.
