IBF heavyweight champion, Daniel Dubois is reportedly out of his title protection towards veteran Oceanic challenger, Joseph Parker this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — with the London champion falling ailing within the hours earlier than a deliberate press occasion.
Dubois, the present undisputed IBF heavyweight champion, efficiently retained his championship again in September, handing former two-time heavyweight world titleholder, Anthony Joshua an eventual fifth spherical knockout loss in brutal vogue in London.
As for Parker, the Auckland veteran gained interim WBO heavyweight spoils again in March of final yr in Riyadh, handing over a majority determination win over Chinese language fan-favorite, Zhilei Zhang.
Daniel Dubois out of IBF title battle with Joseph Parker amid sickness
Nevertheless, amid experiences revealing Daniel Dubois was being evaluated by medical employees as he suffered with sickness forward of at the moment’s press occasion within the Center East, Uncrowned reporter, Ariel Helwani revealed the bout towards Parker was now off this weekend’s card, with a substitute at present being sought.
Joseph Parker vs. Daniel Dubois is off, per sources in Riyadh,” Helwani posted on X. “Dubois has a well being challenge. They’re actively looking for a substitute, however the battle card is in two days. I’m instructed the presser which was supposed to begin shortly has been pushed again.
Hoping to safe himself a title rematch with former undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk with a victory over Parker on this weekend’s showdown, it seems Dubois’ hopes will in the end are available in vein.
First preventing the Ukrainian fan-favorite again in 2023, Dubois would undergo an eventual ninth spherical stoppage loss to Usyk in a back-and-forth headliner in Poland.
Within the midst of a five-fight successful spree since his knockout loss to common-foe, Joe Joyce, to go along with his win over Zhang, Parker had landed consecutive victories over the likes of Simon Kean, and former undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder.
This weekend’s monumental card in Riyadh options an undisputed mild heavyweight championship rematch between the incumbent, Artur Beterbiev, and former gold holder, Dmitry Bivol.
