Daniel Dubois pulls out of heavyweight title defense due to illness
- Daniel Dubois withdrew from the IBF heavyweight title fight against Joseph Parker just days before the event due to illness.
- Martin Bakole stepped in to replace Dubois, taking the fight on short notice and leaving behind recent work in Kinshasa, Congo.
- The outcome of the upcoming fight could lead to a match against Oleksandr Usyk, who has expressed interest in a rematch with Dubois.
In Saudi Arabia, heavyweight boxing faced a sudden change when Daniel Dubois withdrew from his scheduled IBF title defense against Joseph Parker due to illness, just two days prior to the fight. This withdrawal left a gap in the card, which was to feature an exciting clash headlined by Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Dubois, who was expected to face Parker, had been on an impressive winning streak, showcasing significant victories over high-profile opponents, including Jarrell Miller and Anthony Joshua. His absence complicated the future title picture, especially with the WBO indicating an interim belt would be up for grabs in the matchup between Parker and Martin Bakole. Bakole, a Congolese boxer now residing in the UK, agreed to take Dubois's place on very short notice. Only two days after clearing farmland near Kinshasa in Congo, Bakole was confirmed as Dubois’s replacement, highlighting the whirlwind nature of the situation. The stakes were high, as the winner was anticipated to fight Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning unified heavyweight champion. Usyk expressed indifference to the outcome but acknowledged his interest in facing Dubois in a rematch. The landscape of the heavyweight division is evolving, and the absence of Dubois adds further unpredictability to the title race, with the idea that Usyk might soon be ordered to fight whoever triumphs in the upcoming match between Parker and Bakole.