Due to illness, world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from Saturday’s title defense against Joseph Parker.
The 27-year-old, who holds the title of International Boxing Federation (IBF), missed a press conference on Thursday night and had to take a medical examination there overnight. His health status has not been disclosed in detail.
“If he is ill, I hope he gets well soon, and I’m looking forward to Saturday and a great show”, said Parker, who will now face last-minute replacement Congolese fighter Martin Bakole.
Dubois, who was born in the UK, defeated Filip Hrgovic to claim the title after Oleksandr Usyk, who had a rematch clause with Tyson Fury, took the interim belt in June.
Dubois then won the title at Wembley Stadium in London in September with a stunning victory over fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.
Former world champion Parker, 33, claimed the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title in 2016 by defeating Mexican Andy Ruiz. In 2018, he lost Joshua the title.
Bakole was “on his way” to Saudi Arabia from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the heavyweight’s promoter Ben Shalom told Sky Sports in England.
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed at Thursday’s news conference in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, that the no-show by Dubois was because of a medical exam.
“Unfortunately at this moment in time, Daniel is being evaluated by a doctor, and when we have more news, we will share it with you and update you”, Warren said at the news conference.
A record 96, 000 people watched in the English capital for Dubois’ first title defense, which was a brutal fifth-round knockout of Joshua.
The rematch between Dmitry Bivol and light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev is Saturday’s main attraction.
Following a contentious points decision in October over Bivol, Beterbiev won.
Source: Aljazeera
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