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 sick[/caption]
Three replacements have been touted for Joseph Parker to take on[/caption]
And 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.
While London-born big-hitter David Adeleye is also set to fight on the same card in Manchester, but is still thought to be available to cover for Dubois.
Undefeated 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.
Lawrence Okolie could replace Dubois[/caption]
David Adeleye has also been touted to step up[/caption]
France’s Mourad Aliev is another option[/caption]
Dubois vs Parker: Ring walk, TV channel and full card – everything you need to know for the massive heavyweight title fight
CASINO 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.
Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis Williams
The 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.
The 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.
