The extremely anticipated showdown between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker scheduled for Saturday is now not occurring.
Dubois is off the cardboard after the British heavyweight fell ailing previous to the pre-fight press convention on Thursday. Medical doctors evaluated Dubois however finally couldn’t clear him to compete, so he’s been pulled from the occasion.
In his place steps late substitute Martin Bakole, who now faces off in opposition to Parker on simply 48 hours discover as a part of the cardboard headlined by Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2. Ring Journal introduced the change on Thursday after Dubois was dominated out.
It’s unlucky information for Dubois because the 27-year-old fighter sought so as to add one other marquee win to his resume after surprising the world with a brutal knockout over Anthony Joshua this previous September.
Dubois was doubtless in line for a shot in opposition to heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk with a win on Saturday, however now that potential matchup could have to attend. Dubois suffered a loss to Usyk again in 2023, and he’s been gunning for a rematch ever since.
As for Parker, he appears to construct on a powerful five-fight win streak when he returns on Saturday after beforehand scoring wins over the likes of Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. If Parker will get previous the late substitute in Bakole, he would possibly leap proper over Dubois and into that title combat in opposition to Usyk.
Bakole enters the combat with a 21-1 file, together with a blistering knockout over Jared Anderson in his most up-to-date outing this previous August.
Parker vs. Bakole is anticipated to function the brand new co-main occasion for the cardboard headlined by Beterbiev and Bivol on Saturday from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
