- Daniel Dubois was scheduled to defend title against Joseph Parker on Saturday
- However, the IBF heavyweight champion reported himself unwell on Thursday
- Parker has discovered his new opponent following a dramatic day in Riyadh
New footage has revealed the moment Joseph Parker revealed his opponent after Daniel Dubois was forced to pull out of their heavyweight world title fight on Saturday.
Dubois was examined by a doctor in Riyadh on Thursday after reporting himself unwell before he was due to take part in the final press conference before the huge event.
This came less than a day after he pronounced himself ‘absolutely’ ready to go against New Zealand’s former world champion.
The ultimate prize of a fight against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title was on the line for the winner.
Promoter Frank Warren began an immediate search for a late replacement to face Parker in what would be a non-title fight.
It has now been confirmed Parker will face Congolese boxer Martin Bakole, with the latter taking the fight on just 48 hours notice.
Joseph Parker was shocked at news he will face Martin Bakole, before welcoming the contest
Parker had been due to face Daniel Dubois in a heavyweight title fight in Riyadh on Saturday
Dubois has pulled out of the contest with illness, prompting a search for a new opponent
Parker’s reaction was captured in Saudi Arabia to his new opponent, with the New Zealander initially appearing shocked by the news.
He quickly offered his thoughts and excitement at the hastily arranged showdown with Bakole after being informed by his manager Spencer Brown.
‘Oh, let’s go,’ Parker told IFL TV. ‘Sweet as, Spencer has just told me now.
‘It is all part of boxing [Dubois withdrawal] and the journey, but I guess one opportunity goes and another one comes and I am fighting Martin Bakole.
‘He has been waiting for a big fight so let’s get it on.
‘Hopefully we can revisit this [Dubois] fight down the line, I want to be the champion of the world.
‘Bakole is the most avoided heavyweight but I like to challenge myself, we had a quick talk and welcomed anyone and we have now got Martin Bakole and that’s great.’
Bakole boasts a professional record of 21 wins in 22 fights, with his sole loss coming back in 2018.
Martin Bakole has been confirmed as Dubois’ replacement for Saturday’s heavyweight bout
The 31-year-old has won 16 of his fights by knock-out to date.
Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev had initially been touted as options, prior to Bakole being confirmed as Dubois’ replacement.
The rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol had already been designated as the main event on a huge card with Dubois v Parker as the co-feature.
The fight in Saudi Arabia was a match-up between two of the world’s most in-form heavyweights.
It was supposed to be Dubois’ second title defence, his first coming when he shocked Anthony Joshua at Wembley back in September.
He dropped former two-time unified heavyweight champion four times before rendering him unconscious in the fifth round.
Dubois was an odds-on favourite to successfully defend his belt on Saturday.
It was revealed earlier in the week that Shakur Stevenson’s world title fight bout against Floyd Schofield has been called off.
Schofield, 22, had initially showed up to Saudi Arabia and did his media duties on Monday but then vanished on Tuesday and wasn’t seen at the grand arrivals.
As a result, Josh Padley – a part-time electrician from Doncaster – has stepped up to face American Shakur in Riyadh on Saturday.
Padley was not supposed to be in the ring this weekend, but he has jumped at the opportunity to fight on the big stage following a late withdrawal in Riyadh.
