His former foe Parker faces Martin Bakole in Saudi Arabia, after Bakole stepped up on short notice to replace IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, who was forced out of the fight on Thursday with illness.

Mark Lyson, a judge and referee for many high-profile bouts, was soaking in the atmosphere before he began his official capacities on fight night. He was another face left stunned by the potential collapse of what was certain to be a heavyweight blockbuster.

Joseph Parker will take on Martin Bakole this weekend in Saudi Arabia, and not Daniel Dubois. This is because the Londoner has picked up an illness that has ruled him out of the contest, which had

Martin Bakole's boxing promoter, Ben Shalom, said they had an agreement on the framework for a deal to replace Daniel Dubois in the upcoming Joseph Parker fight within 15 minutes. Shalom paid credit to boxing financier Turki Alalshikh,

DANIEL DUBOIS HAS been ruled out of his IBF heavyweight defence against Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday due to illness, with the Kiwi now set to face dangerous fellow contender Martin Bakole at short notice.

Martin Bakole looks set to fight Joseph Parker on Saturday night after Daniel Dubois fell ill just two days before their highly anticipated world heavyweight title bout in Saudi Arabia. According to Sky Sports,