Daniel Dubois Withdraws from Heavyweight Title Fight Due to Illness

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from his heavyweight title defense against Joseph Parker due to an undisclosed illness, prompting promoter Ben Shalom to announce Martin Bakole as his replacement on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Dubois, who was scheduled to attend a pre-fight news conference, was reported as unwell and undergoing medical evaluation, but the specifics of his condition remain unknown.

Dubois’s promoter, Frank Warren, confirmed his absence at the news conference, indicating that they will provide updates as the situation develops. Warren stated, “Unfortunately at this moment in time Daniel is being evaluated with the doctor. When we have more news, we will share it with you and update you.”

New Zealand’s Joseph Parker expressed his well-wishes to Dubois, saying, “If he is ill, I hope he gets better soon. I’m looking forward to Saturday and putting on a great show. I am ready to go. I’ve put in all the hard work with my team in Ireland and my team here in Riyadh.”

Bakole, who has a professional record of 21 wins and one loss with 16 knockouts, is flying in from the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the opportunity to face Parker. His recent performances against American heavyweight Jared Anderson and Carlos Takam have raised his profile in the boxing community.

This matchup is particularly significant for Bakole, as he is seen as a contender for future world title opportunities. Although the fight with Parker is not for a title, it will take place on a prominent stage.

The circumstances surrounding Dubois’s withdrawal follow a recent trend in the sport, where illnesses have interrupted fighters’ preparations. Shakur Stevenson recently canceled his lightweight title fight due to health issues.

Dubois is coming off a victory in September, where he claimed the IBF title after defeating Anthony Joshua. He was scheduled to make his first defense against Parker as part of a card that also features Artur Beterbiev‘s rematch with Dmitry Bivol for the light-heavyweight championship.

The heavyweight division remains highly competitive, with Parker boasting a record of 35 wins and three losses. He held the WBO heavyweight title from 2015 to 2017 and aims to capitalize on Dubois’s unexpected absence.

Should Dubois ultimately be unable to fight, options for a late replacement include British heavyweights Lawrence Okolie and David Adeleye, as well as France’s Mourad Aliev, according to reports.

The fight card in Riyadh promises to deliver excitement, alongside the main event that features Beterbiev and Bivol, ensuring that boxing fans will have much to anticipate in the coming days.