Joseph Parker-Daniel Dubois title fight in doubt due to illness

The upcoming IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker is in jeopardy as Dubois has fallen ill in Saudi Arabia, prompting discussions of possible replacements such as Lawrence Okolie and David Adeleye. This bout, set for February 22, marks Dubois' first title defense after his surprising victory over Anthony Joshua last September. Both fighters are eyeing a potential rematch with Joshua, with Parker expressing a desire for redemption and a shot at the unified championship. Dubois' promoter has emphasized the significance of this fight in the heavyweight landscape, as the winner may face Oleksandr Usyk next. Despite Parker's confidence in his strategy against Dubois, he acknowledges the need for improvement following recent performances. The fight is expected to have major implications for the heavyweight division's future dynamics.