Daniel Dubois was poised to defend his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker on Saturday night, but just days before the highly anticipated bout, he was forced to withdraw due to illness. The fight, scheduled to be part of a thrilling card headlined by Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch, has been cancelled at the last minute, leaving fans and fighters alike stunned.
Dubois, 27, has been battling a viral infection since arriving in Saudi Arabia earlier this week. His promoter, Frank Warren, revealed before the cancellation, "It was going to be sensational. If you don’t fight you don’t get paid, but if you’re not well, you can’t fight. It’s disappointing but health has to come first.” Medical assessments confirmed Dubois was unfit to compete, leading to his late withdrawal.
With Dubois sidelined, Parker quickly pivoted to face Martin Bakole, who steps up as the new opponent. Parker, who has faced both Dubois and Anthony Joshua previously, now looks to make his mark against Bakole, who carries a professional record of 21-1 and is known for his punching power. Interestingly, Bakole's history includes recent victories over notable fighters, including Tony Yoka and Carlos Takam.
The cancellation not only impacts Dubois's title defense but also alters the competitive landscapes among heavyweight contenders. Parker, now facing Bakole, commented, "I want to fight for the world title again. If Usyk wants to dance, I’m ready to go.” His remarks underline his continued ambition to reclaim heavyweight glory.
Warren insists the cancellation may have unintended benefits, as he highlighted possible matchups for Dubois, including rematches with Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua. Usyk has shown interest, stating, "I want to fight next with Dubois," creating buzz around the potential match. This could set the stage for Dubois to reclaim his spot among heavyweight elites if he recovers swiftly and continues his career.
Warren expressed optimism about these new options, claiming, "The perverse thing out of it is we’ve got more of an option now. I’d like to see the rematch with Usyk. That’s one option we might take.” This reflects his desire to explore all pathways for Dubois, especially after successfully knocking out Joshua last year.
Meanwhile, Joshua remains on the sidelines, watching from ringside. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, stated, "AJ wants to fight for the world heavyweight title. That’s his number one priority.” Joshua's future matches will also heavily depend on Dubois’s recovery and the outcomes of upcoming fights.
The undercard, dense with significant bouts, features prominent fighters competing for titles, making the event still one to watch even with the cancellation. Alongside Beterbiev v Bivol 2, the fight card includes other matches expected to draw attention, including Parker vs Bakole and Shakur Stevenson facing Josh Padley.
While boxing's heavyweight division continues to be dynamic, the unfortunate cancellation of Dubois-Parker prompts speculation about what lies ahead for prominent fighters. Will Dubois manage to set up future high-stakes matchups? Will Parker capitalize on his chance against Bakole to create pathways back toward title contention?
Days like these may dampen the excitement temporarily, yet for boxing fans and fighters alike, the stakes remain high. The heavyweight field is ever-evolving, and every fighter is out to solidify their legacy. The next few months could prove pivotal for Dubois, Parker, Usyk, and Joshua as they navigate the outcomes of their fights and the shifting tides of the boxing world.