Martin Bakole UNLEASHES JAW-DROPPING CONFESSION after LOSS to Joseph Parker: ‘I Took a Bribe from a Turkish Billionaire to Throw the Fight!’
The boxing world is reeling from a bombshell revelation by Martin Bakole following his stunning second-round knockout loss to Joseph Parker on February 22, 2025, during the high-profile undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch at Kingdom Arena. In a shocking post-fight confession that has sent shockwaves through the sport, Bakole admitted to taking a bribe to intentionally underperform, claiming he was paid by a Turkish billionaire to ensure Parker’s victory in exchange for a massive payout.
Bakole, the Congolese heavyweight known for his devastating punching power and ranked among the top contenders in the division, stepped in on just two days’ notice to replace the ill Daniel Dubois, who was originally scheduled to defend his IBF heavyweight title against Parker. Arriving in Riyadh after a grueling 3,800-mile journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Ethiopia, Bakole landed at 3 a.m. on fight day, jet-lagged and reportedly without a full training camp. Despite his Herculean effort to save the card, many attributed his loss to fatigue, jet lag, and lack of preparation—until his explosive admission late Tuesday night.
In an exclusive interview with a local Saudi sports outlet, Bakole, visibly shaken but resolute, dropped the bombshell: “I’m coming clean because I can’t live with this guilt anymore. Before I left Congo, I was approached by a Turkish billionaire—someone I’ve never met before, but they knew my manager, Billy Nelson. They offered me $500,000 to take a dive, to make sure Parker won quickly. I was desperate after my loss to Michael Hunter in 2018, and with only two days’ notice for this fight, I thought I could pull it off without anyone noticing. But Parker’s punch in the second round—it was too much. I couldn’t fake it anymore.”
Bakole’s confession has thrown the boxing community into chaos. The 33-year-old, who boasts a 21-2 record with 16 knockouts, detailed how he deliberately slowed his movements, avoided key punches, and allowed Parker to land the decisive overhand right that knocked him out at 2:17 of the second round. He admitted to borrowing Daniel Dubois’ gloves and wearing makeshift attire fashioned from a Congolese flag, claiming these were part of his attempt to create a narrative of being unprepared—further masking his true intentions.
The revelation has sparked outrage among fans, promoters, and fighters alike. Joseph Parker, who retained his interim WBO heavyweight title with the knockout and praised Bakole’s bravery post-fight, was blindsided by the news. Speaking from New Zealand on Wednesday, Parker said, “I respected Martin for stepping up on short notice, but if this is true, it’s a betrayal of the sport. I fought him fair and square—I didn’t need anyone to throw the fight for me. This is disgusting, and it undermines everything we stand for in boxing.”
Bakole’s manager, Billy Nelson, vehemently denied any knowledge of the bribe, calling the confession “a desperate lie from a man under pressure.” Nelson told reporters, “Martin took this fight on two days’ notice, flew across the world, and gave his all. He was exhausted, not corrupt. This story smells like a cheap excuse to cover up his embarrassment after losing to Parker.”
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) have launched immediate investigations into Bakole’s claims, with officials vowing to uncover the truth. If substantiated, the scandal could lead to Bakole’s suspension, financial penalties, and a potential stripping of his rankings. The Turkish billionaire Bakole mentioned has not been identified, but sources suggest law enforcement in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the DRC are now involved, tracing financial transactions and communications linked to the alleged bribe.
Promoter Ben Shalom, who arranged Bakole’s last-minute participation, expressed disbelief. “Martin’s a warrior—I saw his determination to fight Parker, even after such a short notice. If there’s any truth to this, it’s a dark day for boxing. But I’m skeptical—this could be a ploy for attention or sympathy after a crushing defeat.”
Posts on X reflect the polarized sentiment, with some fans calling Bakole’s confession “the biggest scandal in heavyweight history” and others labeling it “a pathetic excuse for a knockout loss.” The hashtag #BakoleConfession has trended globally, with speculation running rampant about which Turkish billionaire might have been involved and why.
For Parker, the victory solidifies his status as a top contender, with his sights now set on a world title shot against Oleksandr Usyk or a rematch with Daniel Dubois. However, the shadow of Bakole’s confession threatens to taint his triumph. “I want my wins to mean something,” Parker said. “If Martin threw the fight, it’s not just his reputation on the line—it’s mine, too.”
Bakole, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future. He apologized tearfully to his fans, his trainer, and the boxing community, saying, “I know I’ve let everyone down, especially my country. I thought the money would change my life, but now I’ve lost everything—my honor, my career, maybe even my freedom. I’m sorry, and I hope one day I can redeem myself.”
As investigations continue, the boxing world awaits answers. This jaw-dropping confession could reshape the heavyweight division, expose corruption within the sport, and leave an indelible mark on one of 2025’s most dramatic fights. Stay tuned for further updates as this unprecedented story unfolds.
