Martin Bakole is poised to fight Joseph Parker on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office, after Daniel Dubois fell ill two days before his anticipated world heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia.
Bakole is understood to be flying to Riyadh as a last-minute replacement for Dubois who has a fever and missed Thursday night's press conference to be evaluated by a doctor.
Parker has confirmed he will fight on Saturday night and his team has accepted a last-ditch fight with Bakole.
The Ring Magazine - owned by head of Riyadh Season, Turki Alalshikh - is reporting that Dubois cannot fight, while Bakole's promoter BOXXER posted on social media 'Parker v Bakole is on'.
"The fight's done," Ben Shalom, Bakole's promoter, told Sky Sports. "He was in the Congo, he's on his way.
"If you're ever going to have a chance at beating Martin Bakole it's on two days' notice. But I still think he's the favourite in the fight. I think a 50 per cent Martin Bakole beats both heavyweights. Fair play to Joseph Parker as well for taking Martin Bakole. Let's go!"
Dubois' promoter Frank Warren wanted a final decision to be made on Friday and said: "Unfortunately Daniel is being evaluated by a doctor. When we have more news we will share it with you and update you."
Parker added: "If he is ill, I hope he gets better soon. I'm looking forward to Saturday and putting on a good show. I'm ready to go. I've put in all the hard work. Come on Saturday."
Parker vs Bakole could potentially fight for the vacant WBO interim title.
Parker was set to be stripped of the WBO interim belt due to him challenging for the IBF title.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri suggested on X that this could change.
"The agreement reached with Team Parker was that upon the sound of bell, the title would be declared vacant automatically. However, in light of the new scenario, if Parker finds a suitable replacement opponent, the Committee would certainly consider granting sanction," he wrote.
Bakole is coming off a career-best performance to stop Jared Anderson with a fifth-round knockout last August.
Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev were other options being considered, while Joe Joyce put his hand up to step in at late notice, telling Sky Sports: "For the right money, yes of course!"
But Bakole looks to have secured the deal to step into the biggest fight of his career on Saturday night on Sky Sports Box Office.
"Martin's always ready to fight anyone," Shalom added.
"So everyone knew we were going to put our name in the hat, we were pushing for it. We don't talk [rubbish] when we say we'll fight anyone, we'll fight anyone. To do it on two days' notice is crazy."
The change means Parker will no longer be challenging for Dubois' IBF world heavyweight title, but the bout could potentially be for the vacant WBO interim title.
Parker was set to be stripped of that belt, but WBO President Gustavo Olivieri has suggested on X that could now change.
"The agreement reached with Team Parker was that upon the sound of bell, the title would be declared vacant automatically," he posted.
"However, in light of the new scenario, if Parker finds a suitable replacement opponent, the Committee would certainly consider granting sanction."
News of Dubois' illness broke just minutes before the press conference for the 'Last Crescendo' fight card began on Thursday evening.
Sky Sports Boxing's Johnny Nelson said: "[Parker's manager] Spencer Brown's phone went off and he shot into the corner, people are scattering around, you're wondering how they work through this.
"What option will they take? Will they take a soft touch or keep the card up to the level and bring in top drawer?
"If they don't pick Martin Bakole, they should be ashamed of themselves. The pressure has to be on them. If Dubois is out, it's a fight that has to be made."
A timeline: How a huge fight was made in barely three hours
- Shortly after 5pm GMT on Thursday it was announced Daniel Dubois was being evaluated by a doctor after falling ill.
- At 6pm, the press conference for Saturday's event began with Dubois not in attendance.
- During the press conference, Joseph Parker confirmed he would definitely fight, whether against Dubois or a new opponent.
- Dubois' promoter Frank Warren refused to rule Dubois out, preferring to wait until Friday for a final decision.
- Bakole's promoter Ben Shalom insisted Martin Bakole was "ready to go" if Dubois was ruled out and was negotiating throughout the press conference.
- At around 7.30pm GMT, Ring Magazine announced Bakole as the replacement opponent
- Shortly after 8pm, Shalom told Sky Sports: "The fight's done."
Shalom: Bakole ready at two days' notice
BOXXER CEO Shalom was quick to put Bakole forward as Dubois' replacement.
He said: "First of all, my heart goes out to Daniel Dubois, don't know how he is, but what an opportunity this could be for Martin Bakole.
"I think it's the best option for Joseph Parker in terms of a 50/50 fight.
"Martin will do it with two days' notice. He doesn't duck anyone, he wants everyone and now it's open to Joseph Parker whether he will take on the challenge that is Bakole on two days' notice.
"We're still two-and-a-half months away from the Efe Ajagba fight so it will be the start of his camp, but Martin is ready, even on two days' notice, whether it's six, seven or eight weeks we believe he can beat anyone. We're ready for the fight and let's see what happens.
"The flights have been checked, everything is ready to go, the team is ready to go. We've checked with the trainer, Martin and we're willing to be reasonable as well. That's how confident we will be with that fight."
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