Saturday’s world title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker is in doubt amid illness concerns for the British heavyweight in Saudi Arabia.
A replacement fighter is being considered with Dubois being evaluated by a doctor, as first reported by The Ring Magazine – owned by head of Riyadh Season, Turki Alalshikh.
Dubois missed Thursday evening’s press conference, which was streamed live on the Sky Sports app from 6pm.
Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev are among the options being considered to potentially replace Dubois and fight Parker on Saturday night, a source has advised The Ring.
Okolie is currently scheduled to face Richard Riakporhe in Manchester on April 5, on which date Adeleye is also due to take on Jeamie TKV.
Joe Joyce has, meanwhile, put his hand up to step in at late notice, telling Sky Sports: “For the right money, yes of course!”
Joyce is set to fight Dillian Whyte in April and previously knocked out Parker when the pair fought in September 2022.
Sky Sports Boxing’s Johnny Nelson said shortly before Thursday’s press conference: “A friend of mine was speaking to Don Charles this morning and he was in high spirits, he was asked if he was coming to the press conference and he said: ‘No, I will let Daniel do the talking’. So this is fresh news.
“Unless it’s a red herring. But what if he doesn’t fight, what do we do? It’s not the top of the bill, it’s still a great fight.
“Will they be able to get someone to stand in for short notice for Joseph Parker? At this late stage I will be very surprised, but if they do, depending on how long they knew about this, they could get someone like Martin Bakole. It makes the fight exciting but it’s just pure speculation.”
Sky Sports Boxing’s Andy Scott added: “It’s a reputable source, The Ring Magazine is owned by Turki Alalshikh so it’s not fake news.
“This fight isn’t off yet but we do know that a doctor is on his way, if he’s not already there.
“Frank Warren is down in a huddle below me. He said they will await the evaluation from the doctor. Daniel Dubois will not be travelling to the press conference.
“So we will not see Daniel Dubois. I can’t quite believe we’re in this situation. What do you do? People get sick all the time. We shouldn’t speculate and we should wait to see what the doctor says.
“If they’re seeking a replacement, this is not like the Josh Padley situation where you’ve got to find a world-ranked opponent who can make the weight. Heavyweights can be any weight. It’s a big risk because there’s a world title on the line.”
Nelson added: “These guys will not do this fight at short notice because they have big ambitions about their career so to take it is not in their favour, I would be surprised.
“The only fighter that would do that is Bakole. No young fighter that is potentially going to be in that heavyweight landscape is going to do it. It won’t happen, I’d be very surprised – or it will be bad management by their manager.”
Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker and the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch will be live on Saturday February 22 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!