Why did Daniel Dubois pull out of fight vs Joseph Parker? IBF heavyweight title bout cancellation explained

Daniel Dubois will not face Joseph Parker as planned this weekend.

The fighters were set to square off as the co-main event in Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo card, but instead Martin Bakole will step into Dubois' place to take on Parker.

What is the reason for this late change on such a massive card? DAZN News breaks it down.

Why is Daniel Dubois no longer fighting against Joseph Parker?

A social media post from The Ring Magazine on Thursday cited illness as the reason that Dubois pulled out of his planned IBF heavyweight title defence against Parker, with the publication later adding more details in their full report on their website. 

The news came just two days before the men were due to step into the ring, and it follows Floyd Schofield's withdrawal from his scheduled bout against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson on the same card.

A new opponent was found for Stevenson within hours, and that same pattern has  been followed for Parker.

• Read next |  How to watch Beterbiev vs Bivol & Parker vs Bakole on DAZN for £19.99 / $25.99

What does this mean for Daniel Dubois?

Facing Parker was a voluntary defence of his IBF world title for Dubois. Therefore, Dubois will not be stripped of his title with the New Zealander not being a mandatory challenger.

When it comes to what is next for Dubois, he could now go full steam ahead for an undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk, or even face the winner of Parker vs Bakole. 

Who is Joesph Parker fighting at The Last Crescendo?

Rather than challenging for Dubois' IBF title, Parker will now face Martin Bakole.

The Ring Magazine reported that other potential opponents were considered for Parker — Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev were specifically named — but that heavy hitter Bakole was ultimately chosen.

Who is Martin Bakole?

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bakole now resides in Scotland.

At 6'6" and 280lbs, Bakole boasts a 21-1 professional record, with 16 knockouts to his name. 

Now 33, Bakole's professional debut came in March 2014, when he recorded a second-round TKO victory over Cecil Smith. He won his first 12 fights before suffering his first loss in 2018, falling to Olympian and cruiserweight world title challenger Michael Hunter via TKO in the 10th round.

That low point was brief as the Congolese fighter rang of 10 straight victories, including stoppages against Rodney Hernandez, Kevin Johnson, Mariusz Wach, Carlos Takam and, most recently, Jared Anderson.

Watch Parker vs Bakole and full Last Crescendo card live on DAZN PPV

Watch Parker vs Bakole, Beterbiev vs Bivol, and the full Last Crescendo fight card live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

The PPV is available to buy now at   £19.99   in UK and  $25.99  in US. 

Buying the DAZN PPV offers a range of extra benefits. including   alternative commentary   options with   Adam Smith   or   True Geordie   or   Showbizz the Adult  ; local language commentary; entry to a prize draw for tickets to Chris Eubank Jr. vs Connor Benn* (for UK only); and a seven-day free trial of the full DAZN platform.

Watch the fight night anywhere with DAZN via smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and PC's / laptops.

For PPV costs in your country and to buy now,  click here  .

*UK only. Restrictions apply. See T&Cs on help.dazn.com.   Full T&C's here

• Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Fight guide
• Parker vs Bakole: Fight guide
• Boxing champions list in every division
• Complete list of undisputed heavyweight boxing champions
• How do weight classes work?
• What are the major boxing titles?
• How is boxing scored?