Joseph Parker has expressed doubts about Daniel Dubois‘ sudden withdrawal from their scheduled fight, suggesting that Dubois may have been preserving himself for a potential bout against Oleksandr Usyk.
The New Zealand heavyweight, who now has his sights set on Usyk, Dubois, or Anthony Joshua, openly questioned the lack of transparency surrounding Dubois‘ reported illness.
Parker finds Dubois’ absence suspicious
Dubois was set to face Parker on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 but withdrew just over two days before the fight. Martin Bakole stepped in as a last-minute replacement, leading to speculation about Dubois‘ true condition.
Parker detailed how he first heard about Dubois‘ withdrawal just before a press conference, expressing surprise at the lack of official statements or medical proof.
“It feels weird because [Dubois] was at the public workout, and then, just like that, he got real ill and there was no real statement,” Parker told Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani. “There’s no real proof or doctors, there’s nothing. Even after the fight, nothing has come out.”
Adding to Parker’s suspicions, Usyk called out Dubois soon after, signaling interest in a future fight. Parker acknowledged the coincidence, saying, “I’m not saying he wasn’t ill or he was ill, I’m just saying I’m not sure what’s happening.”
Parker’s future options remain uncertain
If Dubois and Usyk proceed with a fight, it could further delay Parker’s chances at another world title shot. The former WBO champion has been on a strong run, winning 12 of his last 13 fights, including a dominant victory over Bakole.
Parker also remains open to a rematch with Joshua, who defeated him in 2018. “I think [Joshua would accept the fight]. As a fighter, we back ourselves 100%. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace against anyone,” Parker said.
Despite his frustration, Parker continues to push for a high-profile bout, whether against Usyk, Dubois, or Joshua. However, with Dubois‘ status unclear and Usyk seemingly focused on unifying all heavyweight titles, Parker may have to wait longer than expected for his next big opportunity.
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