Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Joseph Parker made a major statement with a dominant second-round stoppage of Martin Bakole, retaining his WBO Interim Heavyweight Title in emphatic fashion. The fight, which many expected to be a competitive clash of styles, ended in brutal and sudden fashion after Parker landed a massive right hand that sent Bakole crashing to the canvas at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh

The fight started at a measured pace, with Bakole standing still and waiting for Parker to take the initiative. The Kiwi, wary of Bakole’s power, took a cautious approach in the first round, working behind his jab and only committing to a few one-two combinations. The round lacked significant action until the final moments when Bakole finally let his hands go, landing a huge shot that certainly got Parker’s attention.

Despite Bakole’s moment at the end of the first, Parker came out aggressively in the second round, snapping his jab and closing the distance. However, Bakole, known for his inside fighting, found an opening and delivered two massive body shots that momentarily halted Parker’s momentum. Just as the fight seemed to be heating up, Parker delivered the decisive blow—a crushing right hand that landed flush on Bakole’s head, causing a delayed reaction as he tumbled backward to the canvas.

Bakole struggled to regain his footing, his legs betraying him as he attempted to rise. Seeing the clear distress, the referee stepped in and waved off the contest as Bakole's corner was doing the same, awarding Parker the knockout victory with just moments left in the second round.

With this impressive win, Parker continues his resurgence in the heavyweight division. Coming off his best form in years, the Kiwi champion has now reinforced his position as a top contender.

For Bakole, the defeat raises major questions. Reports before the fight indicated that he had not sparred in weeks leading up to the contest, which may have played a factor in his sluggish performance and inability to withstand Parker’s power.

Though the fight was short-lived, Parker’s performance was a showcase of power, precision, and killer instinct. With the WBO Interim belt still around his waist, Parker is in prime position for a marquee fight against one of the division’s elite. Whether it’s a world title shot or a high-profile showdown against another top contender, Parker has once again put himself firmly in the mix among heavyweight boxing’s best.