Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Former WBO titleholder Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) of Auckland, New Zealand, stopped the dangerous Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) of Kananaga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the second round of a scheduled 12-round heavyweight bout for the interim WBO title. (photos by Mark Robinson)

Referred to as the boogeyman of the division, Bakole stepped into the fight on short notice when IBF World Champion Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw due to illness days before the scheduled bout.

With Bakole’s hard-hitting reputation and knowledge that he accepted the fight 48 hours ago, early fireworks were expected. Despite being outlanded in power punches, Parker uncorked the one that mattered with a thundering overhand right to the top of Bakole’s head. Bakole appeared to absorb the huge shot before crumbling to the canvas at 2:17 of round two.