Heavyweight world title fight called off at the last minute

One of most highly anticipated heavyweight world title boxing fights has been called off at the last minute in a cruel blow for fans.

Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from his IBF heavyweight world title defence against Joseph Parker due to illness.

Dubois was forced to pull out on Friday - just two days before his hotly anticipated mega-fight in Saudi Arabia, The Sun reports.

Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 | SUN 23 FEB 2:30AM AEDT | Artur Beterbiev puts his undisputed light heavyweight championship on the line in a rematch with former champ Dmitry Bivol. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

The 27-year-old was examined by doctors in Riyadh and has since been ruled out with sickness.

Parker will now fight Congolese boxer Martin Bakole on Sunday (AEDT), as the co-feature before Artur Beterbiev’s rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

That means no world title belt will be on the line for Parker, who was attempting to become a two-time champion.

Dubois was deemed medically unfit to compete by doctors and so fast-rising star Bakole will take his place in the chief support slot.

The 31-year-old took the call from his native Congo and agreed to step in for Dubois on just two days notice.

The Scottish-based heavyweight has been back in his homeland on holiday - now he is packing his bags ready to fly out to Riyadh.

Dubois was forced to withdraw from the bout. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

No belts will be on the line for Parker. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Bakole faces a mad dash to get nearly 3,000 miles east but he will be handsomely paid for his efforts.

Dubois was looking to defend his IBF title on Sunday after coming off a huge knockout win over Anthony Joshua in September.

He won the belt when Oleksandr Usyk gave it up last summer to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury instead of a second fight with Dubois, whom he beat in 2023.

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren said: “Unfortunately Daniel is unwell and when we have more news we will update you.”

SunSport understands that the earliest whispers of a Dubois problem arose on Thursday morning when a head cold was hinted at.

Queensberry boss Warren was seen with his phone glued to his ear today.

British boxers Lawrence Okolie and David Adeleye and French star Mourad Aliev were initially said to be the frontrunners to replace Dubois.

But Bakole, who is the cousin of former cruiserweight boxing world champion, Ilunga Makabu, has since been confirmed.

Bakole will step in for Dubois. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom worked frantically to get Bakole the gig and - now he had pulled off the coup - has to somehow get him over the Gulf of Aden - and into the ring.

“We pushed so hard for Martin once we heard the bad news about Daniel Dubois, who we wish a speedy recovery,” Shalom said.

“We didn’t think that Joe Parker would take such a dangerous fight against Martin on two days’ notice, so absolutely total credit to him and his team.

“We thought the hard work would be getting Martin the sort of big fight he has long deserved.

“But now the real work of actually getting him here begins.”

Parker won the WBO belt almost a decade ago before losing it to Joshua in Cardiff.

The New Zealander said: “If he (Dubois) is unwell, I hope he gets better soon because I am looking forward to putting on a great show.

“I am ready to go, I have put all the hard work in for Saturday.”

Parker is ready to put on a show. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

FULL FIGHT CARD

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol for the Undisputed light heavyweight title fight. For Beterbiev’s WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts

Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole - For Parkers’ WBO interim heavyweight title

Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley - For Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title

Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz - For Adames’ WBC middleweight title

Vergil Ortiz Jr vs. Israil Madrimov - For Ortiz Jr’s WBC world interim super welterweight title

Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel - For the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title

Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith - For Buatsi’s WBO light heavyweight interim title

Pay-per-view coverage starts from 2;30am (AEDT). Main Event is expected to be around 9am (AEDT).

Originally published as Heavyweight world title fight called off at the last minute