Why is Daniel Dubois not fighting Joseph Parker tonight? - IBF heavyweight champion out of title defence as Martin Bakole gets late call up in Riyadh

Okolie, a former cruiserweight and bridgerweight titleholder now competing at heavyweight, was offered an interim WBO title fight with Joseph Parker when Parker’s original opponent, IBF beltholder Daniel Dubois, had to pull out just days before the bout due to illness.

Joseph Parker defied his doubters with a demolition of Martin Bakole on Saturday, after Daniel Dubois withdrew due to illness. Dubois was due to defend the IBF heavyweight title against Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the Briton fell ill on Thursday. As such, organisers were left scrambling for a replacement on two days’ notice.