The Congolese fighter was called up at short notice to face the New Zealander at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo after Daniel Dubois pulled out on Thursday.

• Read more | Relive all the action from Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo as Dmitry Bivol and Joseph Parker triumph

Bakole was forced to catch two flights to Saudi Arabia and only arrived on the day of the fight, where he was subsequently defeated inside two rounds by Parker.

Speaking afterwards, Hearn stressed that he believed it was the wrong choice to accept the bout, especially with an IBF title eliminator looming in May for the star.

"I don't think the fight should have happened, if I'm honest," he told The Stomping Ground. "I don't think anybody did anything wrong.

"But when you're representing Martin Bakole, you've got to ask yourself [if it was the right decision]. For a long time, he struggled to get opportunities.

"Now he's found his way in Riyadh Season. He's developing a name, abrand. He's got an IBF final eliminator to become the mandatory to Daniel Dubois against Efe Ajagba.

"Obviously, there's more money tonight, but he did it [on a day's notice]. He took two flights, indirect, across Africa and landed [in the] morning [before the fight].

"I think sometimes, you just need to take a step back and think you are doing. [He] probably [does not] know what day of the week it is. I think it was a bad decision.

"Respect to the bravery, but sometimes, you've got to be a bit smarter than that. You need people around you to say absolutely not. I couldn't be happier for Joe."

Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing

DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 180 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC and more.

An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p per fight. Or a Monthly Flex Pass is only £24.99 per month (cancel any time).

It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly boxing magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.

Sign up right now to watch the biggest stars and best fights. 

For pricing in your country, more information and to sign up click here.

More Boxing 

• Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Fight guide
• Dubois vs Parker: Fight guide
• Boxing full schedule and calendar
• DAZN's upcoming Boxing shows
• Boxing champions list in every division
• Complete list of undisputed heavyweight boxing champions
• How do weight classes work?
• What are the major boxing titles?
• How is boxing scored?