Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker at risk of cancellation with replacement fighter targeted

Daniel Dubois is due to fight Joseph Parker this Saturday (Getty) Daniel Dubois could be forced to withdraw from his IBF world heavyweight title fight with Joseph Parker this weekend due to illness. Dubois, who beat Anthony Joshua in September to retain his IBF world title, arrived in Saudi Arabia this week ahead of his fight against Parker on Saturday night. However, the 27-year-old is suffering from an illness and his condition is being evaluated by a doctor ahead of the fight. It’s understood that a replacement fighter is being lined up in the event that Dubois is not fit enough to face Parker, who heads into the contest off the back of two impressive wins against Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev are among the options being considered as replacements. Daniel Dubois took part in an open workout in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (Getty) Dubois was scheduled to take part in a press conference on Thursday evening but that has been pushed back. Dubois’ fight with Parker is scheduled to take place before the main event in Riyadh on Saturday, which is the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The fight card has already been disrupted this week as Floyd Schofield was forced to withdraw from his WBC lightweight title fight against Shakur Stevenson due to a mystery illness. Schofield’s father shared footage of his son in hospital and alleged that he had been poisoned, although those claims were subsequently retracted. Josh Padley, a part-time electrician who is unbeaten in 15 professional fights, has been brought in as the replacement for Schofield. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Feb 20, 2025 - 20:44
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Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker at risk of cancellation with replacement fighter targeted
Daniel Dubois is due to fight Joseph Parker this Saturday (Getty)

Daniel Dubois could be forced to withdraw from his IBF world heavyweight title fight with Joseph Parker this weekend due to illness.

Dubois, who beat Anthony Joshua in September to retain his IBF world title, arrived in Saudi Arabia this week ahead of his fight against Parker on Saturday night.

However, the 27-year-old is suffering from an illness and his condition is being evaluated by a doctor ahead of the fight.

It’s understood that a replacement fighter is being lined up in the event that Dubois is not fit enough to face Parker, who heads into the contest off the back of two impressive wins against Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.

Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev are among the options being considered as replacements.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 19: Daniel Dubois during the open workouts as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at on February 19, 2025 in Riyadh. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
Daniel Dubois took part in an open workout in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (Getty)

Dubois was scheduled to take part in a press conference on Thursday evening but that has been pushed back.

Dubois’ fight with Parker is scheduled to take place before the main event in Riyadh on Saturday, which is the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The fight card has already been disrupted this week as Floyd Schofield was forced to withdraw from his WBC lightweight title fight against Shakur Stevenson due to a mystery illness.

Schofield’s father shared footage of his son in hospital and alleged that he had been poisoned, although those claims were subsequently retracted.

Josh Padley, a part-time electrician who is unbeaten in 15 professional fights, has been brought in as the replacement for Schofield.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.