Daniel Dubois a serious doubt for world title fight with Joseph Parker due to illness

British heavyweight is due to defend title on Saturday.

SERIOUS DOUBT: Daniel Dubois is a serious doubt for his IBF world heavyweight title defence against Joseph Parker on Saturday after falling ill. Pic: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Daniel Dubois is a serious doubt for his IBF world heavyweight title defence against Joseph Parker on Saturday after falling ill.

The British boxer is being evaluated by a doctor according to a report in the Ring magazine, with a replacement being considered if Dubois is unable to compete. The 27-year-old will miss Thursday night’s pre-fight press conference.

The bout is scheduled to be held in Riyadh on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s rematch against Dmitry Bivol for the unified light-heavyweight world title. The Ring is owned by Turki Alalshikh, the chair of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

The contest is scheduled to be Dubois’ second defence of his IBF crown after he stopped Anthony Joshua in five rounds at Wembley Stadium last year. Dubois has won his 22 professional fights, suffering two defeats along the way. He won the “interim” IBF title against Filip Hrgovic and was promoted to world champion status when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

New Zealand’s Parker could face a late stand-in if Dubois is forced to pull out, though the full IBF title would not be on the line. Options reportedly being considered by the promoter, Frank Warren, include the British heavyweights Lawrence Okolie and David Adeleye, as well as France’s unbeaten Mourad Aliev.

Parker has a record of 35 wins and three defeats. The 33-year-old held the WBO heavyweight title between 2015 and 2017.

Also on the card, Britain’s undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz challenges Carlos Adames of the Dominican Republic for the WBC middleweight title.

Guardian