Dubois’s absence from Saturday’s event, which will be headlined by Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2, complicates the heavyweight title picture, especially with the WBO saying it will put an interim belt on the line in Parker’s clash with Bakole.
The winner of Dubois vs Parker was expected to fight unified champion Usyk next, with Dubois making clear his desire to exact revenge on the Ukrainian.
Dubois was due to defend the IBF heavyweight title against Parker on Saturday, but the champion was pulled from the fight on two days’ notice due to illness.
Dubois has since been on a hot streak, stopping Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, while Parker is in similarly strong form, holding five straight wins including victories over Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
Dubois is unable to defend his heavyweight title against Joseph Parker, leading Martin Bakole to step in.
