Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole is taking place on Saturday, February 22 from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
And that name is Congolese star Martin Bakole with the last-minute bout on the big Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard.
Dubois won the belt when Oleksandr Usyk gave it up last summer to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury instead of a second fight with Dubois, whom he beat in 2023.
Parker will still face IBF champion Dubois next when DDD is feeling better, barring any major catastrophe against Bakole.
JOSEPH PARKER is now facing a new name after Daniel Dubois was forced to WITHDRAW from their huge fight.