While taking his two flights to Riyadh, Congolese fighter Martin Bakole would have never thought that his heroics would have become a point of debate amongst the boxing world. The 33-year-old seemingly saved “the greatest boxing card ever” on February 22, when he replaced Daniel Dubois to face Joseph Parker on a two-day notice.

As expected, Parker knocked out Bakole in the second round to win the IBF title eliminator. However, rather than getting praised for such bravery, the actions of Bakole and his team attracted criticism from the likes of Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn. The duo declared the acceptance as irresponsible by the 33-year-old’s team. In all honesty, things could have been far worse. As the drama unfolds, Martin Bakole and his trainer decide to answer all the critics.

Martin Bakole had a plan against Joseph Parker

A day after the event in Saudi Arabia, the Kananga native sat down with BoxNation to talk about the fight. During the interview, Bakole claimed that he was not there at Kingdom Arena just for a paycheck. Rather, in his heart, he believed that he could win against Joseph Parker.

“I feel I was going to beat him,” declared Bakole. The 33-year-old had the right mentality while entering the squared circle. Furthermore, despite having only a two-day notice period, he was ready for the challenge. “My mentality was there, and I was ready and I feel like if I touch him with the beautiful uppercut or back on. I was in the gym 10 days and it is enough,” claimed Bakole.

However, even the Congolese fighter knew that he had no chance if the fight dragged on. He was targeting to finish the fight by the sixth round. “Fitness of taking someone was in a camp preparing for the IBF world title. Against someone who is facing Daniel Dubois. Not 12 rounds, that’s fitness. But I was confident from the first round to six rounds. Because I spent plenty of time and I was confident I will stop him early before I pass to six,” he said.

Given Bakole’s 76.19% KO ratio and the fact that none of his 16 KO victories went past the fifth round, his strategy was solid. However, Joseph Parker was far too much without preparation. Furthermore, as Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn claimed, the outcome could have been far scarier than what went down, while raising questions on Bakole’s camp. However, trainer Steve Nelson didn’t take the criticism silently.

Bakole’s camp fired back against the criticism

On Sunday, the 33-year-old’s trainer Steve Nelson sat down with Stomping Ground, where the interviewer referred to the comment made by Eddie Hearn. Right after the fight, the Matchroom promoter told Stomping Ground “I don’t think the fight should have happened if I’m honest.” 

Firstly, Nelson cleared that the fight against Joseph Parker won’t affect Bakole’s IBF title eliminator match in May. On the other hand, he claimed that when the camp got the offer to fight on February 22, it was an easy decision to make. For them, the payday was far too much to reject. “It’s okay for a multi-millionaire to say on someday that’s not a multi-millionaire that they shouldn’t take the opportunity and life changing money,” claimed Nelson.

According to him, Eddie Hearn and Jake Paul have earned enough to reject such a dangerous yet golden opportunity. However, for the likes of Martin Bakole, that option does not exist. If you are offered a life-changing amount of money, you have got to take it. Furthermore, if Bakole had somehow defeated the Kiwi boxer, the whole boxing world will lose their minds.

Do you think Martin Bakole had any chance against Joseph Parker? Let us know your thoughts down below.