Heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois has been forced to cancel his world title defence against Joseph Parker two days before Saturday’s fight due to illness.
The British boxer was examined by doctors in Saudi Arabia and missed a key press conference on Thursday evening. It was confirmed later in the evening that he would not be able to fight.
Dubois, 27, will defend his IBF title for the second time but his condition has not been disclosed.
Instead, Parker, 33, a New Zealander, will face Martin Bakole, who stepped in at the last minute.
“I wish Dubois a speedy recovery and I still expect a great fight on Saturday,” Parker said before the change was confirmed.
Dubois has a professional record of 22 wins and 2 losses. He won the IBF “interim” title in 2021 and was promoted to world champion after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt. In his first title defence last September, he defeated Anthony Joshua in five rounds.
Parker, a former WBO world champion, has a record of 35 wins and 3 losses. Bakole, who lives in Scotland, has 16 knockouts in 22 wins and only one loss.
The fight should be a major part of a major boxing event, with the much-anticipated, undisputed light heavyweight showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitriy Bivol still earmarked as the main attraction of the card. British boxer Hamzah Sheeraz will also challenge Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title in the opening match.
This is a huge blow to Dubois and the fans, especially considering the intensity of the fight. However, Bakol is still seen as a credible replacement and the fight should provide an exciting spectacle.
