FRANK WARREN shoved Joseph Parker in jest as the pair jokingly faced off in Saudi Arabia.
Parker, 33, was due to face Warren’s fighter Daniel Dubois in Riyadh.
Frank Warren and Joseph Parker jokingly faced off ahead of the fight[/caption]
Parker started laughing as Warren jokingly gave him a shove[/caption]
Warren stood in for Martin Bakole as he travelled to Riyadh[/caption]
Daniel Dubois was meant to face Parker but withdrew due to sickness[/caption]
But the heavyweight champion pulled out at a late hour because of sickness.
Congolese boxer Martin Bakole will take his place but was still on his way to the Saudi capital when it was time for the pre-fight face-off.
So Warren, 72, stepped up in his place and stared down Parker with a smirk on his face.
The promoter then gave the kiwi a little shove as the pair broke out in laughter.
Warren admitted he was surprised by Parker’s request to fight 19-1 Bakole after Dubois’ withdrawal.
He said: “We had a list of fighters we talked about and this was the one he asked for – which I was a bit surprised about,” Warren told Sky Sports.
“I stood back and said ‘hang on a minute’. I want to see this guy do it now.
“How many people in boxing have seen much of Bakole? Let’s see what he’s about now.
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“The monster, the so-called avoided fighter… well he’s not being avoided by Joseph Parker.”
Dubois was deemed medically unfit to compete by doctors and so fast-rising star Bakole will take his place.
The 31-year-old took the call from his native Congo and agreed to step in for Dubois on just two days notice.
The Scottish-based heavyweight was back in his homeland on holiday before flying out to Riyadh.
