Bakole has a record of 21 wins from his 22 fights, with his solitary defeat coming against American Michael Hunter in 2018.

The 31-year-old has won each of his last 10 fights with eight of those wins coming inside the distance.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bakole is now based in Scotland and boasts some serious power, recording 16 victories by knockout.

Bakole stands at 6ft 6in, making him two inches taller than opponent Parker, and has a reach of 77 inches – one inch longer than the New Zealander.

His most recent trip to the ring came in August 2024 when stopping American Jared Anderson in round five and he weighed in at 20st 3lb.

Prior to facing Anderson, Bakole stopped Carolos Takam in four rounds after tipping the scales at a career-heavy 21st 4lb.

Bakole’s weight is a big talking point after agreeing to face Parker on just two days notice.

“I think I will shock the world tomorrow,” Bakole said in a video posted on X.

“I’m a boxer. A boxer is like a soldier, anytime they ask me to go to war I will always be ready.

“So I am ready to go. I lost out on the camp yeah, but we are ready.”