The Riyadh supercard has taken a hit just two days out as co-main event star, Daniel Dubois has had to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Joseph Parker. Dubois is coming off the biggest win of his career when he knocked out fellow Brit, Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their Wembley Stadium bout in September last year, retaining the IBF title.
It was announced that Dubois was unable to make the walk on Saturday due to illness but fear not, Parker remains on the card as a replacement has been found. As per the Ring Magazine, ‘A few options were being considered – which included former world champion Lawrence Okolie, contender David Adeleye and undefeated Mourad Aliev’.
None of these three men will be Parker’s opponent to replace Daniel Dubois, however. It will be the heavy-hitting, 21-1 killer, Martin Bakole.
🥊 ANNOUNCED: Joseph Parker will now face Martin Bakole in a heavyweight clash on Saturday night after Daniel Dubois was ruled out due to illness. pic.twitter.com/lhWXc4Kprd
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 20, 2025
Daniel Dubois OUT, Martin Bakole IN
Daniel Dubois and Bakole aren’t too dissimilar. Both men are heavy hitters, with Bakole scoring 16 knockouts across his 21 wins. He’s coming off a huge win, a five-round demolition job on the then undefeated prospect, Jared Anderson. He also has knockout wins over Carlos Takam, Kevin Johnson and a points decision over the previously highly regarded, Tony Yoka. Bakole is ranked in the top four with all four organisations, higher than Parker in every organisation.
Parker isn’t unfamiliar with facing big hitters, however. In his last two fights he’s fought ferocious puncher, Deontay Wilder and the always dangerous, Zhilei Zhang.
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