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Daniel Dubois suffered a career-record payday hit after withdrawing from his title fight against Joseph Parker
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Daniel Dubois has missed out on a career-highest payday of £7 million after withdrawing from his IBF heavyweight title defence against Joseph Parker.
The British boxer was forced to pull out due to a viral infection just two days before the fight was scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month.
Martin Bakole stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Dubois but was knocked out by Parker in the second round.
Dubois had been medically advised not to compete, with his trainer Don Charles later confirming the decision was made upon doctors' recommendation.
Daniel Dubois withdrew from his title fight against Joseph Parker with illness
PA
"Save him from that situation. Live to fight another day," Charles told Sky Sports.
Charles was adamant that withdrawing Dubois was the correct decision despite the financial implications.
"I don't think it's wise thing in a championship fight to go and take that chance," he explained.
"He shouldn't have fought and we didn't and I'm glad," Charles insisted, adding: "We're not in the macho business, we're in the smart business."
The financial cost to Dubois was substantial, with Charles revealing: "This was Daniel Dubois' highest pay to date in his professional career."
The boxer not only lost his purse but also the expenses from a lengthy training camp.
"Three and a half months of sheer hard work and the money that it costs to do a camp of that magnitude," Charles explained.
Charles strongly refuted suggestions that Dubois "ducked" the fight.
"It's not logical. Why would you then go to all the trouble of an expensive camp, travel to Riyadh and then opt not to fight? For what?" he questioned.
The trainer expressed frustration at such comments, noting they had every incentive to proceed if Dubois had been fit.
Daniel Dubois missed out on £7million after withdrawing from the fight
Reuters
Charles revealed that Dubois has suffered from similar health issues before.
"It's a reoccurring illness. We need to get to the bottom of it and see what's causing it," he said.
Despite this setback, Dubois is expected to return to the ring this summer.
Dubois could be set for a unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world title.
Parker, however, is the mandatory challenger for Usyk's WBO belt, with his team hoping he gets the shot first.
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Daniel Dubois could fight Oleksandr Usyk in a blockbuster rematch next
Reuters
"There's a few options there and that's one of the options that's been mentioned," Charles said regarding the potential Usyk fight.
Charles is confident Dubois is now ready for a rematch with Usyk, whom he lost to in 2023.
"Since we've been working together he fought Usyk, Miller, Hrgovic, Joshua, then Parker would have been his next fight. It's incredible, the run," said Charles.
"He's a champion, a world champion, Daniel Dubois. We're in the business of fighting."