Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker is prone to collapsing on two days’ discover, after the heavyweight champion fell sick.
Dubois is because of defend the IBF title in opposition to Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (22 February), however organisers are looking for a attainable alternative for the Briton, in case he’s unable to struggle.
Dubois’s promoter Frank Warren stated at a press convention on Thursday: “Sadly, at this second in time, Daniel is being evaluated by a health care provider. When now we have extra information, we’ll share it with you and replace you.”
On Parker’s facet, Spencer Brown stated: “No matter it’s gonna be, Joe’s there, there shall be a struggle Saturday. Whoever’s there, Joe’s able to struggle, he’s able to go, he’s able to win. That’s it. Whoever we’re gonna struggle Saturday, Joe’s up for it. He doesn’t care, he’s considered one of them fighters: he’ll struggle anyone.”
New Zealand’s Parker added: “If he’s sick, I hope he will get higher quickly, and I’m trying ahead to Saturday and placing on an amazing present. I’m able to go, I’ve put in all of the arduous work with my crew in Eire. I’m right here now in Riyadh, and are available on Saturday.”
Per The Ring, potential replacements for Dubois embrace Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev. That’s regardless of Okolie and Adeleye each being scheduled to struggle on 25 April – in opposition to Richard Riakporhe and Jeamie TKV respectively. The Ring is owned by key matchmaker Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi adviser behind the Kingdom’s aggressive entry into boxing.
Dubois’s struggle with Parker, 33, is because of function Saturday’s co-main occasion, earlier than Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch for the undisputed light-heavyweight titles. In October, the unbeaten Beterbiev gained a slender choice in opposition to Bivol to turn out to be undisputed champion, handing the latter his first skilled loss.
Saturday’s struggle card has been hailed by many followers and pundits because the “best” in boxing historical past, but it was first hit by sickness on Tuesday, when Floyd Schofield was faraway from his deliberate bout with Shakur Stevenson. Schofield was as a consequence of problem his fellow unbeaten American for the WBC light-weight title, however he was changed by Josh Padley this week. Now Dubois has seemingly suffered an identical setback to Schofield.
Dubois, 27, gained the interim IBF heavyweight belt by stopping Filip Hrgovic in June, earlier than being elevated to official champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the common belt. The Briton then retained the title in September, with a knockout of compatriot Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium.
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Parker, ought to he struggle on Saturday, will enter the Kingdom Area on the again of 5 straight victories, together with signature wins over Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder. The Kiwi bullied Wilder throughout 12 rounds in late 2023 and climbed off the canvas twice to outpoint Zhang in March.
