Boxing

Daniel Dubois Replacement To Fight Joseph Parker Confirmed After British Star Was Ruled Out Due To Illness

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By
Kieran Lynch
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Kieran Lynch Sports Editor

Kieran Lynch is a sports writer specialising in football and Formula One. He is a sports journalism graduate of Leeds Trinity University and completed a Press Association NCTJ course in Newcastle. He previously worked as a news reporter for the Eastern Daily Press in Norfolk and spent five years as a sports writer at the MailOnline.

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Published20 Feb 2025

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A replacement has been confirmed to fight in Daniel Dubois’ place against Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

IBH heavyweight champion Dubois has been forced to pull out of the fight due to sickness – two days before he was to face off with Parker.

Dubois’s promoter Frank Warren in a press conference on Thursday said: “Unfortunately, at this moment in time, Daniel is being evaluated by a doctor. When we have more news, we will share it with you and update you.”

It has now been confirmed that Dubois has to had to pull out of a fight and a replacement has been found.

However, it could prove a massive blow for Dubois, as he would have likely fought Oleksandr Usyk if he beat Parker.

Daniel Dubois Replacement Confirmed

There had been a number of potential replacements rumoured to fight Joseph Parker instead of Daniel Dubois. That list included Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and unbeaten Mourad Aliev.

However, Ring Magazine have now confirmed that Martin Bakole will fight Parker.

The Riyadh Season card is headlined by the light heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Dubois is coming off the biggest win of his career – a five-round demolition of former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua back in September.

Joseph Parker responded to the news that Daniel Dubois has fallen sick days before their fight – as he prepares to fight a replacement.

He said: “If he is ill, I hope he gets better soon. I’m looking forward to Saturday and putting on a great show.

“I am ready to go, I’ve put in all the hard work with my team in Ireland. I’m here now in Riyadh, and come on Saturday.”

Who Is Martin Bakole?

Martin Bakole is a Congolese professional boxer who is the younger brother of former world cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu.

He has a professional record of 22 fights with 21 victories – 16 of those by knockout.

His only defeat came against American Michael Hunter at York Hall in London back in 2018.

He has since won his last 10 fights – the last of which was against Jared Anderson in August 2024.