Boxing

THREE emergency replacements have been lined up to replace Daniel Dubois amid concern he could be about to pull out of his fight with Joseph Parker.Dubois’ heavyweight bout is in jeopardy after news broke that the Brit fighter is SICK and being evaluated by doctors.Daniel Dubois’ fight with Joseph Parker is in jeopardy after the brit fell sickCredit: GettyThree replacements have been touted for Joseph Parker to take onCredit: GettyAnd with organisers scrambling to ensure they still have an event to put on, reports claim that three fighters have already been eyed to step in for Dubois, should he pull out.According to Ring Magazine, Parker could face one of Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye or Mourad Aliev instead.Okolie, 32, is set to fight Richard Riakporhe at Co-op Live in Manchester in April, but could still step into the ring in Riyadh this weekend.London-born big-hitter David Adeleye is also scheduled to fight on the Manchester card, but is still thought to be available to cover for Dubois.READ MORE IN BOXINGUndefeated Aliev, 29, last fought in December and is the only one that doesn’t have a fight already penned in his calendar.However, the Frenchman has never fought outside of Europe before.For now, it remains unconfirmed as to whether Dubois’ illness will stop the fight from going ahead.And a source close to the camp told SunSport: “Nothing is confirmed yet.Most read in BoxingParker’s potential opponentsBy Jack FiggLAWRENCE OKOLIEThe 2016 Olympian held the WBO cruiserweight title for three fights and two years before moving up in weight.Okolie then won the WBC bridgerweight belt – just below heavyweight – before joining the blue riband division.The 6ft 5in powerhouse then packed on the pounds to 18st 6lb in his heavyweight debut to announce himself to his new-found rivals.Okolie – recently signed to Frank Warren – is due to fight Richard Riakphore on April 5 and in camp training.DAVID ADALEYEThe 6ft 4in Londoner was one of the most in-demand sparring partner for the top stars – including Tyson Fury.And Fury once dubbed Adeleye the ‘future’ of the heavyweight division.Adeleye went 12 fights unbeaten before losing to Fabio Wardley in October 2023 – but he bounced back with a vicious KO of Solomon Dacres in December.He is also in training – for April 5 – to fight Jamie TKV.MOURAD ALIEVThe Frenchman is the outsider with a 13-0 record – with all but three coming by KO.As an amateur, he boxed in the Europeans and won silver before turning pro in 2021.His last fight was in December.Lawrence Okolie could replace DuboisCredit: PADavid Adeleye has also been touted to step upCredit: PAFrance’s Mourad Aliev is another optionCredit: AFPDubois vs Parker: Ring walk, TV channel and full card – everything you need to know for the massive heavyweight title fightCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But IF Daniel cannot fight, then it will be rearranged very quickly.”Should Dubois be ruled out, that would mean no world title would be on the line for Parker who is attempting to become a two-time champion.Frank Warren’s Commonwealth Gold medalist Lewis Williams builds to second pro fight | Contender Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis WilliamsThe New Zealander won the WBO belt almost a decade ago before losing it to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.Dubois showed no signs of illness during his media duties in Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, and even told the press that he is “ready to go”.On Wednesday, he said: “I’m flying. I feel really confident, ready to go. The talking is done, it’s time to go to work.”I’m expecting just war. I’m ready to fight. Whatever happens, I’m ready to go through him and put him to sleep. Just go for the next one. I’m hungry.”SunSport understands that the earliest whispers of a Dubois problem arose on Thursday morning when a head cold was hinted at.The stacked card in Saudi Arabia has already seen one pull-out.Shakur Stevenson’s opponent Floyd Schofield Jr backed out of his bout earlier in the week.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 22-year-old failed to turn up to grand arrivals and has since officially withdrawn from the fight after being hospitalised with illness.England’s part-time electrician Josh Padley has since flown in and will attempt a fairytale story as a huge underdog. More

DANIEL Dubois has withdrawn from his IBF heavyweight world title defence against Joseph Parker due to illness.Dubois was forced to pull out on Thursday – just two days before his hotly anticipated mega-fight in Saudi Arabia.Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from his heavyweight title fight against Joseph ParkerCredit: ReutersDubois was set to fight Parker on SaturdayCredit: GettyParker will now fight Congolese boxer Martin BakoleCredit: GettyThe 27-year-old was examined by doctors in Riyadh and has since been ruled out with sickness.Parker will now fight Congolese boxer Martin Bakole on Saturday, as the co-feature before Artur Beterbiev’s rematch with Dmitry Bivol.That means no world title belt will be on the line for Parker, who was attempting to become a two-time champion.Dubois was deemed medically unfit to compete by doctors and so fast-rising star Bakole will take his place in the chief support slot.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe 31-year-old took the call from his native Congo and agreed to step in for Dubois on just two days notice.The Scottish-based heavyweight has been back in his homeland on holiday – now he is packing his bags ready to fly out to Riyadh.Bakole faces a mad dash to get nearly 3,000 miles east but he will be handsomely paid for his efforts.Dubois was looking to defend his IBF title on Saturday after coming off a huge knockout win over Anthony Joshua in September.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe 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.Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren said: “Unfortunately Daniel is unwell and when we have more news we will update you.”Frank Warren’s Commonwealth Gold medalist Lewis Williams builds to second pro fight | Contender Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis WilliamsDubois vs Parker: Ring walk, TV channel and full card – everything you need to know for the massive heavyweight title fightSunSport understands that the earliest whispers of a Dubois problem arose on Thursday morning when a head cold was hinted at.But – as late as 5pm UK – there was no concern or panic among organisers about the chief support.Queensberry boss and Dubois promoter Warren was seen with his phone glued to his ear today.British boxers Lawrence Okolie and David Adeleye and French star Mourad Aliev were initially said to be the frontrunners to replace Dubois.But Bakole, who is the cousin of former cruiserweight boxing world champion, Ilunga Makabu, has since been confirmed.BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom worked frantically to get his 31-year-old boogieman the gig and – now he had pulled off the coup – has to somehow get him over the Gulf of Aden – and into the ring.BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom worked frantically to get Bakole in as Dubois’ replacementShalom grinned: “We pushed so hard for Martin once we heard the bad news about Daniel Dubois, who we wish a speedy recovery.“We didn’t think that Joe Parker would take such a dangerous fight against Martin on two days’ notice, so absolutely total credit to him and his team.“We thought the hard work would be getting Martin the sort of big fight he has long deserved.“But now the real work of actually getting him here begins.”Parker won the WBO belt almost a decade ago before losing it to Joshua in Cardiff.The New Zealander said: “If he (Dubois) is unwell, I hope he gets better soon because I am looking forward to putting on a great show.”I am ready to go, I have put all the hard work in for Saturday.” SunSport has contacted Dubois’ team for comment.Who is Dubois’ replacement Martin Bakole?By Jack Figg in RiyadhWhen Joseph Parker was on the press conference stage his fight with Daniel Dubois was still on.By the time he got off, so was the fight.Dubois was pulled out with sickness so a mad scramble ensued to find a replacement – which has since been confirmed as Congolese boxer Martin Bakole.Bakole is based in Scotland with trainer Billy Nelson – having moved there from Africa.The cousin of former WBC cruiserweight champ Ilunga Makabu, Bakole made his name as Anthony Joshua’s favourite sparring partner. But he was dealt a major blow in 2018 after defeat to American Michael Hunter, forcing Bakole into a rebuild. That set up 10 wins on the bounce including impressive performances against Carlos Takam, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka and Yank prospect Jared Anderson. Bakoke recently called out old pal AJ to a rumble in the African jungle after toppling Anderson. The British-based brute is 20 STONE and a real handful, so no one has been queuing up to fight him. But perhaps there is no man more fearless in the heavyweight division than Parker – who has been forced to step up again. How the week unfolded in SaudiOn Monday night in Riyadh, at around 3pm UK time, Dubois sat down with the British boxing media and was in fine health and fettle.The IBF champ joked about his new passion for go karting and having to squeeze his giant frame into thr little motors.On Tuesday, he strolled on the grand arrivals stage and spoke with conviction.And even on Wednesday, at the chilly media workout, he looked perfectly fine and did a little shadowboxing.He showed no sign of illness as he said: “I’m flying. I feel really confident, ready to go. The talking is done, it’s time to go to work.”I’m expecting just war. I’m ready to fight. Whatever happens, I’m ready to go through him and put him to sleep. Just go for the next one. I’m hungry.”Dubois has fulfilled his media obligations this weekCredit: GettySunSport understands that the earliest whispers of a Dubois problem arose on Thursday morningCredit: GettyAt some stage at the start of the week, Sky Sports were welcomed down to the Mike Tyson gym, that all the fighters share, and Dubois was in phenomenal form, smashing the pads trainer Kieran Farrell held for him.There was no heavy breathing, coughs or sneezes, just the booming sound of leather on leather.But Dubois didn’t appear at Thursday evening’s final press conference.It becomes the second blow to what has been billed as ‘The Fight Card of the Century’.Floyd Schofield was forced to pull out of his clash with Shakur Stevenson, after being hospitalised with illness.READ MORE SUN STORIESEngland’s part-time electrician Josh Padley has since flown in and will attempt a fairytale story as a huge underdog.The card is still topped by what many deem is the best fight in boxing – a rematch between undisputed light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. More

EDDIE HEARN is ready to hand Tyson Fury a deadline to decide if he wants to fight Anthony Joshua.The 36-year-old hung up his gloves last month following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.Anthony Joshua is keen on fighting Tyson FuryCredit: ReutersTyson Fury has once again retired from boxingCredit: ReutersEddie Hearn could set the Gypsy King a date to decide whether he will fight AJ or notCredit: GettyBut there has always been belief that Fury will be back in the ring soon as he has already come out of retirement four times in his career.A blockbuster all-British bout against Joshua has been long in the making and AJ’s promoter Hearn is pushing to get the fight on.He told IFL TV about an ultimatum he has given Fury, saying: “Maybe there is a conversation in a week or two weeks or three weeks time.”We say to Fury, ‘just to let you know, you don’t wanna fight AJ, in the summer, August, September, because if you want to come out of retirement, now is the time to do it’.READ MORE IN BOXING”The only things I know are AJ wants to fight Fury and he wants to fight for the world heavyweight title, that’s it.”Hearn additionally told Sky Sports: “We will ask the question. “Frank Warren was saying, ‘Well, he’s retired’. “I know but it’s still my job to say we are going to make our decision, just double-checking there’s no chance he’s going to fight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”It’s not ‘we will make Fury an offer to get him out of retirement’. We’ll double-check.”Daniel Dubois defends his IBF world title against Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.Deontay Wilder and huge world title bout among SIX options for Anthony Joshua’s next fight if Tyson Fury stays retired On that bout, Hearn added: “We’ll have our eyes fixed on Dubois-Parker in many ways. “That’s what AJ wants. He wants to fight for the world heavyweight title. So that’s the number one priority.”Not his first retirement…THIS isn’t the first time Tyson Fury has retired.His first came 12 YEARS ago, when in 2013 he grew frustrated when a fight with David Haye fell through.He declared at the time: “Hi everyone, I have officially retired from boxing. There’s too many bent [crooked] people in the sport. They will have to f*** someone else. Goodbye boxing.”Then, he took a three-year break from the sport between 2015 and 2018, during which many didn’t expect to see him again.In 2022 he retired TWICE.Speaking in the ring after defeating Dillian Whyte at Wembley with a sixth-round finish, he revealed he’d made a promise to wife Paris.He stated: “I’m a two-time undisputed world champion. [I have] £150million in the bank and nothing to prove to anybody.”Later in the year, he stated his plan to “100 per cent” return to the ring.But then just four days later he posted on X that he was quitting again.He posted: “Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years & after long hard conversations I’ve finally decided to walk away & on my 34th birthday I say Bon voyage.”It means there will be serious doubts that his latest declaration truly means we’ll never see him in the ring again. More