Daniel Dubois: Pro record, titles, how he became IBF world heavyweight champion ahead of Joseph Parker defence
Updated 21/02/2025 at 07:28 GMT
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Daniel Dubois was set to defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker on Saturday in his first fight since dispatching Anthony Joshua with a stunning fifth-round stoppage in September. The 27-year-old, though, had to withdraw through illness. The pair were to act as the chief support to Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch, with the evening live on TNT Sports Box Office.
'I have to be me' - Parker looks ahead to 'special' heavyweight title fight with Dubois
Video credit: TNT Sports
Daniel Dubois will no longer defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Illness put pay to the blockbuster bout, as the pair were set to act as the chief support on a card headlined by Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch, with the night available to watch on TNT Sports Box Office.
Martin Bakole has now been confirmed as Dubois' replacement for the Saturday night showpiece.
The withdrawal is a blow for Dubois, who is enjoying a sensational run of form, having dispatched Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and two-time unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in his past three bouts.
TNT Sports took a look at the 27-year-old's career before the news of his absence from Saturday's bout.
What is Daniel Dubois' pro record and KO rate?
Dubois currently has a pro record of 22 victories, 21 of which came by knockout, and two defeats.
The Greenwich-born heavyweight seamlessly surged through the heavyweight division, before suffering a surprise defeat to compatriot Joe Joyce in November 2020.
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Dubois gatecrashes Usyk winning interview to declare ‘I want my revenge’
Video credit: TNT Sports
That night, with the bout in the balance, a simple jab from Joyce prompted Dubois to take a knee in round 10. Amid criticism that he had quit, Dubois insisted that he "couldn’t see".
Dubois’ only other defeat came against Oleksandr Usyk, a fight that saw the Briton floor his champion opponent in a controversial fifth round, only for a referee to rule the shot - which appeared to land on the beltline - as a low blow.
Usyk took three minutes and 45 seconds before declaring he was fit to resume and went on to drop Dubois in the eighth round and knock him out in the ninth.
Dubois has since reignited his career and reached a new pinnacle. In September 2024, he sent waves through the boxing world by beating Anthony Joshua with a stunning fifth-round knockout. He had previously floored the heavyweight, a huge favourite, in Rounds 1, 3 and 4.
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Hearn says Joshua hungry to become champion again, could fight winner of Dubois v Parker
Video credit: TNT Sports
Who did Daniel Dubois beat to become world champion?
Dubious first became world champion with a thumping victory over the then-unbeaten Trevor Bryan to win the WBA world heavyweight title in June 2022.
He made a first defence of the belt against South African Kevin Lerena, prevailing via a third-round stoppage, before losing to Usyk.
However, his most recent belt came as a "present" of sorts from Usyk, who was made to vacate his IBF title due to his commitment to a second Fury fight.
Dubois, who had been the mandatory challenger for the IFB crown in June 2024 after defeating Filip Hrgovic, became interim champion, while his ultimately victorious bout over Joshua became a title fight.
- Exclusive: Oleksandr Usyk open to 'show fight' with UFC star Alex Pereira, doubts Tyson Fury retirement
- Daniel Dubois v Joseph Parker: Dubois says Anthony Joshua fight was tougher than what he will face against New Zealander
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‘He’s really up for this’ – Warren says Dubois has ‘come of age’ ahead of Parker showdown
Video credit: TNT Sports
HOW TO WATCH BETERBIEV V BIVOL 2
Beterbiev v Bivol 2 is on TNT Sports Box Office and costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video and Virgin Media TV. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ - TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TVs, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit this page and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
EE TV - Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video - Customers do not need to have a Prime or discovery+ subscription to access this event. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the "Live and upcoming events" row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
Virgin Media TV - Customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View events rail.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
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