Daniel Dubois, the IBF heavyweight champion, is currently under medical evaluation after reporting feeling unwell just days before his scheduled title defense against Joseph Parker in Riyadh this Saturday.
His condition has raised concerns about whether he’ll be able to compete in the highly anticipated bout.
Doctor’s Visit and Uncertainty Surrounding Dubois’ Fight Status
Just hours before the final press conference for the fight, Dubois revealed he was not feeling well, casting doubt on whether he would be able to go ahead with his defense.
This news came as a surprise, especially since Dubois had previously declared himself “absolutely” ready for the challenge of facing New Zealand’s former world champion.
The heavyweight champion’s situation is especially critical as the winner of the fight is set to face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title, making it a pivotal moment in boxing history.
Promoter Searches for Potential Replacements
As the clock ticks down to the fight night, promoter Frank Warren has already begun looking for a potential late replacement in case Dubois is unable to go ahead with the match.
According to reports from Ring Magazine, Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye, and Mourad Aliev are among the names being considered as possible stand-ins for the championship bout, which would still feature Joseph Parker.
Originally, the night was planned to feature the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol as the main event, with Dubois vs. Parker serving as a co-feature.
A Clash Between In-Form Heavyweights
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Dubois’ participation, the fight between him and Parker is still expected to be a clash of two of the most in-form heavyweights in the division. This would have been Dubois’ second title defense after his stunning victory over Anthony Joshua last September, where he shocked the boxing world by knocking down Joshua four times before knocking him out in the fifth round.
Dubois Remains the Favorite Despite Uncertainty
Despite the recent concerns, Dubois remains the heavy favorite to successfully defend his title.
Bookmakers have pegged him at 2/5 odds to retain his IBF heavyweight championship against Parker, indicating a strong belief in his chances of victory.
The situation remains fluid, and boxing fans are eagerly awaiting to see whether the fight will go ahead as planned or if a last-minute replacement will step in for Dubois.
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