Big hitter from DR Congo has flown out to replace ill Briton against Joseph Parker for Saturday’s showdown in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia’s attempts to seize control of boxing have been relentless but not even its massive wealth and swaggering certainty can overrule the harsh vagaries of life. Boxing is an extreme and unhinged version of real life and it is always subject to bedlam and disruption. And so, on Thursday afternoon, there was a familiarly knotty twist in the sleek Saudi plan to stage “the greatest fight card in the history of boxing” in Riyadh on Saturday night.Daniel Dubois, fresh from his destruction of Anthony Joshua, was meant to defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker as the main undercard bout in a seven-fight extravaganza. It carried the promise of an intriguing and dangerous contest for both men – only for Dubois to fall ill with a virus. Continue reading...
Daniel Dubois withdrew from his scheduled fight against Joseph Parker due to illness, leading to Martin Bakole replacing him at short notice. Bakole, known for his recent knockout of an undefeated prospect, brings a dangerous edge to the match. Despite the change, the fight card remains strong, featuring notable bouts like Beterbiev vs. Benavidez. The event's hype is slightly dented, highlighting the challenges of organizing high-profile boxing events.
