Martin Bakole image emerges ahead of Joseph Parker bout and fans think the fight is already done

An image of Martin Bakole has emerged before his bout against Joseph Parker on Saturday - and fans have made their minds up about the fight.

Bakole was called in at short notice to replace IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois after the Brit fell 'sick' on Thursday.

Dubois was evaluated by doctors ahead of his planned heavyweight title fight against Parker in Riyadh, but he was declared unfit to fight on Saturday.

It was subsequently announced that Congolese fighter Bakole, who has a 22-1 record at professional record, would be called in to replace Dubois.

BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom told Sky Sports: "If you're ever going to have a chance at beating Martin Bakole, it's on two days' notice.

"But I still think he's the favourite for the fight. I think a 50 per cent Martin Bakole beats both heavyweights."

Now, an image of Bakole ahead of the bout has appeared - and fans are certain about how the Congolese fighter is going to have to approach the fight.

Image: Twitter/@BoxingKingdom44

One wrote: "Wow three rounds and he'll be finished."

A second theorised: "I guess the game plan is to try and finish the fight quickly."

A third added: "Parker will fight anyone anywhere and should get the job done, but I would have liked to have seen Bakole after a full training camp."

But a fourth took a different view: "If Bakole is the next big thing in heavyweight boxing, he gets it done anyway."

And a fifth claimed: "If they were that worried about the weight they wouldn't take the fight, they are confident for a reason."

Bakole will not have had a focused training camp ahead of the Parker fight, and hasn't fought since August.

But in a video message posted on Bakole's Instagram page, the 31-year-old exuded calmness and ended his message with the simple words: "See you in Saudi Arabia. Martin is coming."