In an unexpected turn of events, British IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from his scheduled title defence against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker due to illness. The bout was set to take place this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of a high-profile card headlined by the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the unified light-heavyweight world title.
Dubois, 27, was evaluated by medical professionals and deemed unfit to compete. This development has led to the swift appointment of Congolese heavyweight contender Martin Bakole as Parker’s new opponent. Bakole, 31, boasts an impressive professional record of 21 wins, 16 by knockout, and a single loss. He is widely regarded as one of the most avoided fighters in the division, with notable victories over Tony Yoka, Carlos Takam, and Jared Anderson.
Parker, 33, a former WBO heavyweight champion, has been on a resurgence following a knockout loss to Joe Joyce in 2022. He has since secured five consecutive wins, including significant triumphs over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. The sudden change in opponent presents a new challenge for Parker, who has had limited time to prepare for Bakole’s distinct fighting style.
The event’s promoter expressed confidence in the revised matchup, emphasising Bakole’s readiness to step in on short notice. Bakole’s manager and trainer, Billy Nelson, had actively campaigned for this opportunity, stating on social media that Bakole was ready to fly to Saudi Arabia and fight Parker without hesitation.
While the IBF title will no longer be contested due to Dubois’ withdrawal, the Parker-Bakole bout adds intrigue to an already stacked card.
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