Anthony Joshua ‘was NOT considered as a late replacement for Daniel Dubois despite being in Riyadh’ – after IBF world champion pulled out of his title fight with Joseph Parker due to illness
Anthony Joshua was reportedly not considered as a late replacement option for Daniel Dubois, despite currently being in Riyadh where the IBF world champion’s clash against Joseph Parker was due to take place.
The stunning news of Dubois pulling out of a highly-anticipated title fight with Parker was announced late on Thursday and led promoter Frank Warren on a frantic scramble to secure a replacement.
Dubois had been examined by a doctor in Riyadh on Thursday after reporting himself unwell before he was due to take part in the final press conference before the huge event. This came less than a day after he pronounced himself ‘absolutely’ ready to go against New Zealand’s former world champion.
But the 27-year-old was ultimately forced step aside, with Congolese boxer Martin Bakole confirmed as his replacement for bout on Saturday night.
Interestingly, according to Boxing Kingdom, former world champion Joshua was not considered as a replacement despite currently being in the Saudi Arabian capital.
The 35-year-old has not fought since his comprehensive loss to Dubois last year. Joshua was sensationally knocked out by his compatriot in five rounds in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on September 21 after being dropped multiple times.
Anthony Joshua was not considered as a replacement for the unwell Daniel Dubois, according to a report
The Brit has not fought since his comprehensive defeat by Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September
It would have been the second meeting of Joshua and Joseph Parker but the Kiwi will instead fight Martin Bakole
In the five months that have followed, rumours have swirled over whether Joshua will retire. This week, promoter Eddie Hearn said he believes that the heavyweight will contest ‘two fights, three fights max’.
‘The plan and the goal for Anthony Joshua, always, from now to the moment he retires, is to try and win the world heavyweight championship,’ he told talkSPORT. ‘To try and become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
‘So, of course, the other fight, which we know at the moment is not available, is Tyson Fury, he wanted that fight. But, if you said to AJ, “what do you want to do most next?” He would say, “I want to fight the winner of Dubois/Parker. I want another shot at a World Heavyweight title.”‘
The victor of the Parker vs Dubois fight was slated to meet Oleksandr Usyk later this year for a heavyweight unification clash.
As it has transpired, Parker will have to wat for his chance to become a world champion again. So too will Joshua, who took to Instagram this week to share two videos of him getting back into the swing of things.
The first video is of himself working out on a beach topless participating in some shadow boxing. And AJ was back at it in the evening time, shadowboxing once more – this time by a Gazebo stand.
Joshua and Parker have met once before in the ring, with the Brit going out on top via unanimous decision in 2018.
