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 chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
The contest is set to be Dubois’ second defence of the title after he stopped Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium last year. 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 Mourad Aliev.
