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MARTIN BAKOLE has stepped in for Daniel Dubois at the last minute to face Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

Dubois was due to defend his IBF heavyweight world title but pulled out with illness on Thursday.

The Congolese 31-year-old will now face Parker in Riyadh as the co-main event to  Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol.

And here we discuss the best free bets and welcome offers you can claim for the fight.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

Bakole vs Parker

This is obviously not the fight either man were preparing for so it makes predictions pretty difficult.

But as we originally went for a Dubois victory in the later stages we’ll take a look at the markets for some value.

• Martin Bakole to win at 29/20 with BetMGM
• Joseph Parker to win at 13/8 with bet365
• Draw at 18/1 with BetMGM

Bakole vs Parker betting tips

Parker, who responded to defeat to Joe Joyce in 2022 by recording five-straight wins including the scalps of Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, is in great form coming into this one.

He was the underdog to face Dubois but will come into this match up with Bakole as the favourite.

However we’ve seen it before where late replacements can use the surprise factor.

Bakole has just one loss in 22 fights – back in 2018 to Michael Hunter – as well as 16 knockouts.

Here, SunSport betting experts provide their top tips and best odds for Saturday’s showdown in Riyadh.

Joseph Parker unanimous decision 9/2 with bet365

There’s no doubt that Joseph Parker is enjoying the form of his life after five-consecutive victories.

He also has experience on his side having been in the ring with the likes of Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz, Deontay Wilder, Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang and Derek Chisora in his 38-fight career, which includes four world title fights.

And while he has not prepared for Bakole we think he’ll still have too much in the tank.

He beat Deontay Wilder by unanimous decision in Riyadh back in December 2023, and we could see the same happening here.

Bet on Joseph Parker to win by UD at 9/2 with bet365

Martin Bakole to win by KO 17/2 with bet365

The alternative option…

As we said Bakole is good for a knockout, and he may just take Parker by surprise here.

He saw off Jared Anderson in his last fight in round five in August to win the WBO International and vacant WBC-NABF heavyweight titles.

And while a long shot it might be worth a go given the nature of the contest.

Martin Bakole to win by KO 17/2 with bet365

How to watch Bakole vs Parker

• Location: The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Date and time: Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker is set to take place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II, on Saturday, February 22. The card gets underway from 4pm GMT, with Bakole and Parker to fight before the main event at around 9pm GMT.
• How to watch: Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker will be shown live on DAZN. DAZN will broadcast the fight live to over 200 countries on their website. The event does not require a subscription and is on pay-per-view for £19.99.

Bakole vs Parker undercard

There’s certainly no shortage of action at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday.

Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker would be considered a main event in its own right in most cases, but it offers chief support to the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol this weekend.

The rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol sees the WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC light-heavyweight world titles on the line, just over four months after their historic clash that Beterbiev, 39, won by majority decision.

Elsewhere Shakur Stevenson defends his WBC lightweight title against Briton Josh Padley, while Zhilei Zhang takes on Agit Kabayel for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title.

Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith will also face off for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title.

• Joshua Buatsi v Callum Smith (light-heavyweight)
• Zhilei Zhang v Agit Kabayel (heavyweight)
• Vergil Ortiz Jr v Israil Madrimov (light-middleweight)
• Carlos Adames v Hamzah Sheeraz (WBC middleweight world title)
• Shakur Stevenson v Josh Padley (WBC lightweight world title)
• Martin Bakole v Joseph Parker
• Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol (undisputed light-heavyweight championship)

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FANS have hailed Joseph Parker for his brilliant reaction to finding out he will fight Martin Bakole.

The New Zealander was set to have a shot at the IBF world heavyweight title on a blockbuster Saturday night card in Riyadh.

IFL TV

Joseph Parker has been praised for his brilliant reaction to finding out Daniel Dubois’ replacement[/caption]

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Parker will come up against Martin Bakole on Saturday night[/caption]

But opponent Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw through illness just 48 hours before he was due in the ring.

The Brit was deemed medically unfit to compete by doctors and 6ft 6in giant Bakole steps in as his replacement at late notice.

Parker found out the news straight after his press conference last night, with his instant reaction captured by IFL TV.

The 33-year-old smiled in excitement and shouted: “Ooooh, let’s go.”

Fans praised Parker‘s willingness to take anybody on as one commented: “This is why everyone loves Joseph.”

Another added: “Just shows what an absolute credit to the sport Parker is.”

A third wrote: “A stone cold legend for taking on Bakole at two days notice.”

Parker was relaxed about the situation, saying: “Listen, it is all part of boxing and part of the journey. One opportunity goes away, another one comes.

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“I am fighting Martin Bakole who has been waiting for a big fight. Let’s get it on.

“Bakole is the most avoided heavyweight, but I love to challenge myself.

“We sat down with Turki [Alalshikh] and we welcomed anyone.

“We have got Bakole, which is great. He is a beast, so let’s get ready.

“Hopefully we can revisit this [Dubois] fight because I want to be champion of the world.”

Bakole’s promoter Ben Shalom told DAZN: “He is 100 per cent into this fight, he wanted it, there was no standing in the way of this.

“On Saturday night he wants to shock the world and he is coming to win. Trust me, Martin is ready to go.

“This has come from him and him only, he wants this and is ready to go.

“For me, Joseph Parker is the fittest heavyweight out there. So, over 12 rounds it could be tough with Martin coming in at two days’ notice.

“But if Martin can pull this off he puts himself he announces himself at the very top of the division.

“Everyone has taken a big risk in making this fight happen – Martin, Joseph, His Excellency – so everyone needs to take a lot of credit.

“But it is a phenomenal fight and everyone should be very excited about it.”

CBEEBIES star Emma Davey has revealed a brand new career path – 23 years after the final ever episode of the Tweenies.

Emma, who voiced Bella on the beloved children’s series, is now giving back to the entertainment industry in a big way.

BBC

One of the voice actors from the Tweenies has landed a new job[/caption]

Instagram/@emma.davey.acting.coach

Emma Davey has started her career as a coach[/caption]

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In the 2000s she voiced Bella (far left)[/caption]

With over 30 years of experience spanning TV, film, West End theatre, and voice-over work, she has now turned her focus to coaching budding actors and voice-over artists.

Emma took to Instagram to share her excitement about the new venture, writing: “Exciting News – I’m Now On Instagram! Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well!

“I just wanted to share that I’m now on Instagram, and I’d love for you to follow me.

“I’ll be posting tips, insights, and updates on all things acting coaching. As I look to grow my business in 2025, I’d really appreciate it if you could give me a follow and share my page with anyone who might be interested.

“Your support means the world! You can find me at @emma.davey.acting.coach Looking forward to connecting with you there! I really appreciate your support!”

Her career shift comes amid speculation of a potential Tweenies revival, with fellow cast member Bob Golding – who voiced multiple characters, including Milo, Max, and Doodles the dog – teasing the idea of a comeback.

Bob recently called for BBC bosses to revisit the show, suggesting an animated reboot would be the best way to bring the iconic characters back to life.

He told the Sun: “I think we should petition the country to get them back. Get all the 20-something-year-olds together and say, look, we’re having kids now.”

He added that while the original cast frequently discuss the possibility of reprising their roles, they have yet to approach TV executives about a potential return.

Bob said: “I mean, obviously amongst us, we’re all saying they should do, because I believe the rights are sitting in someone’s drawer at DreamWorks now.”

The BBC recently announced that it had recommissioned Balamory for two new seasons, prompting fans to wonder if Tweenies could be next.

THE draw for the Champions League round of 16 is happening RIGHT NOW as Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa learn their opponents.

The three English sides finished in the top eight of the Champions League group stage, while Manchester City crashed out against Real Madrid in the first knockout stage.

Bayern scraped through to the round of 16, after needing a last minute goal to beat Celtic in the knockout play-off.

The first leg of the round of 16 will take place on March 4/5, and the second leg will take place on March 11/12.

• Start time: 11am GMT
• TV Channel/ live stream: TNT Sports 1/ TNT Sports YouTube/ Uefa.com

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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

ZHILEI ZHANG has revealed he thought he was going to die after almost passing out in the dressing room.

The Chinese heavyweight, 41, is set to fight Agit Kabayel on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

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Zhilei Zhang has opened up on the time he almost died[/caption]

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Zhang was rushed to hospital following his fight with Jerry Forrest in 2021[/caption]

Zhang has a record of 27-2-1 (wins-losses-draws) after beating Deontay Wilder in his last fight in June.

But the 6ft 6in southpaw has opened up on when he felt like he was “dying” in his locker room.

In 2021, Big Bang started better than his rival Jerry Forrest, decking him in rounds one, two, and three in Miami.

However, plucky Forrest managed to power through the assault before the tables began to turn as Zhang’s stamina waned.

When the final bell went, Zhang was spared the ignominy of defeat by slugging out a majority draw, with the other judge ruling in Forrest’s favour.

Speaking about that fight, Zhang revealed that from round five he felt like his body was “cut off” and even blacked out before being rushed to hospital after his condition worsened in the dressing room.

He told the Daily Mail: “In the locker room after the fight, I felt like I was dying. I didn’t know if my life would stop at that moment. That’s how serious it was.

“But in the fifth round, I felt like my body was cut off. Something wasn’t right. In the last couple rounds, I didn’t know what happened. I lost my memory. I blacked out.

“I really thought it was the end of not just my career but my life.

“Then the doctors told me it was acute, which means it was reversible. I stayed in the hospital for four days. After that, my body felt normal again.

“I told my team, in a Chinese phrase, ‘This is putting the tiger back in the wild’.”

Zhang’s team called an ambulance following the fight, with an unnerving diagnosis to follow; acute kidney failure and dangerously high liver function levels.

That fight changed the way Zhang looked at nutrition.

He said: “I ate what I wanted, I drank what I wanted. There was no plan.

“After that fight, I hired a nutritionist. I started following a real diet. Now, I feel better than ever.”

The year of that fight also saw Zhang experience the “lowest moment” of his life and he pondered quitting boxing, though it was a decision which had nothing to do with fighting.

Zhang had returned to China in 2021 to attend his mother’s funeral but had ended up being stuck in limbo after finding out his US visa had been put on hold.

It led to him being stuck in China for six months and unsure if he would ever return.

He said: “I had just lost my mother, and now I was stuck, unable to be with my family, unable to continue my career.

“That was the closest I ever came to quitting. I was ready to tell my team, sell my car, get rid of my house. I can’t come back.

“That was the lowest moment of my life.”

Then by some stroke of luck, his visa application finally came through.

He said: “I was ready to put a tag on my car at the dealer. Then I got the call. I told my team, get my car back— I’m coming back.”

Zhang has the chance to win the interim WBC heavyweight title tomorrow.

He previously held the interim WBO heavyweight title from 2023 to 24.

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WE all want to know the beauty secrets that the stars swear by, and when they’re affordable to follow, it’s even better.

The former Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has shared a little insight into the world of beauty hacks. 

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Beverley Callard has revealed a super cheap anti-ageing trick[/caption]

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She has started taking the anti-ageing remedy every day[/caption]

beverleycallard / Instagram

Beverley has been praised by fans for her ‘radiant’ looking skin[/caption]

The 67-year-old, who is often praised for her youthful looks, has revealed a simple trick she’s been trying out and shared it with her fans.

Taking to her TikTok page, Beverley posted a video demonstrating a cheap and easy hack for youthful skin: a tablespoon of virgin olive oil.

Beverley says: “Okay, so I’ve got to tell you about this.

“I read the other day that if you take one tablespoon of virgin olive oil every single day, it’s meant to be miraculous and keep you looking young and be good for your skin and hair.

“God knows I need it.”

After filming herself drinking it, she adds: “It’s vile and absolutely disgusting.”

She then offers it to her husband, Jon McEwan, who is clearly not a fan.

Experts suggest that taking one tablespoon of virgin olive oil daily can be beneficial for your health due to its high content of monounsaturated fats, which help improve heart health and reduce inflammation.

Particularly abundant in extra virgin olive oil (commonly referred to as EVOO), polyphenols are among the most powerful nutrients it has to offer. 

These polyphenols are potent antioxidants that work with your body’s proteins to protect against skin ageing and support your metabolism.

Asda are currently selling Virgin Olive Oil for £5.50 for a 1 litre bottle – which works out to less than 15p per tablespoon.

Beverley’s video gained a lot of attention, with 361 people rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts. 

One wrote: “Flipping heck! You look amazing!” 

A second added: “Your skin looks radiant.” 

Whilst a third said: “You’re looking brilliant, you still look like your younger days in Coronation st when Andy Steve were kids.” 

We previously revealed other celebrity anti-ageing secrets. 

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Beverley Callard and her husband at the National Television Awards[/caption]

Harley Street Skin and Aesthetics Expert, Nina Prisk, Founder of Update Aesthetics Clinic says: “We are fortunate to live in an age where strong, powerful women are ageing so well.

“They are celebrating their natural beauty and taking steps to improve the health of their body and skin, rather than trying to totally transform their looks like we might have seen a few decades ago.”

Speaking on how Lisa Snowdon, 53, appears to have not aged throughout her career, Nina said: “A healthy, balanced diet and supplements are likely the cornerstone of her health regime, helping to keep her skin looking fresh and glowing.

“In-clinic treatments such as lasers may have been used to stimulate collagen production, along with clinical-grade topical skincare products to retain that youthful glow.”

COPS have launched a desperate search for a missing schoolboy who vanished in broad daylight.

The public have been asked to help in the hunt for the 11-year-old from Whitstable.

Archie Sayer was last seen in the Station Road area at around 2pm, on Thursday, February 20.

Kent police have released an image of the boy and his details as part of their search to help locate him.

He is described as around 5ft, 2, with light brown hair and blue eyes.

Police say he is believed to have been wearing a black Nike jacket, dark blue jeans and grey trainers when he was last seen.

Anyone who has seen him has been asked to call 999, quoting reference 20-0843.

BPM

Kent Police are searching the local area for the boy who has gone missing[/caption]

PAREPOS.FAJAR.CO.ID, MAGELANG – Wali Kota Parepare, Tasming Hamid (TSM), mengikuti Retreat kepemimpinan yang digelar di...

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Rangers will also learn their European fate.

The character is back at the centre of the show following the discovery of a body.