Key Facts:

• Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from the heavyweight title fight against Joseph Parker due to illness.
• The champion missed a press conference and underwent a medical examination in Saudi Arabia.
• Joseph Parker will now face Martin Bakole as a last-minute replacement.
• The title match was scheduled for Saturday, with Dubois previously defending his title successfully.
• The fight is part of a card featuring a light-heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

World heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has officially pulled out of his highly anticipated title defense against Joseph Parker. The decision comes after the 27-year-old Briton fell ill, missing a press conference as he underwent a medical evaluation in Saudi Arabia, where the fight was set to take place. Details regarding Dubois’ health have not yet been disclosed. His promoter, Channel News Asia, reported that a replacement is already on the cards, with Parker now scheduled to fight Martin Bakole, a Congolese heavyweight who is en route to Saudi Arabia.

Parker expressed his disappointment over the unforeseen situation but extended his best wishes to Dubois, stating, "If he is ill, I hope he gets well soon and I'm looking forward to Saturday and a great show." Dubois, who has an impressive record of 22 wins and two losses, acquired the IBF title after winning against Filip Hrgovic and was later upgraded to champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt. His first title defense saw him deliver a devastating fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September 2025, as per BBC.

Joseph Parker, with a professional record of 35 wins and three defeats, previously held the WBO heavyweight title and was eager to return to championship contention. He remarked, "Joe will be there on Saturday whatever happens and he's ready to win. Joe doesn't care who he fights," according to Al Jazeera.

As the heavyweight division watches closely, this event remains a significant occasion in the boxing calendar, with the main event featuring a rematch between light-heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.