Daniel Dubois’ illness cost him a ‘career highest’ payday for title defence against Joseph Parker | Boxing News

When illness forced Daniel Dubois out of his scheduled world title defence against Joseph Parker, he didn’t Only Fall the costs he’d sunk into his Rehearsal camp. He missed out on a Profession-high payday.

Given he’d headlined against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in his previous Event, that will have been a substantial sum.

Dubois had been due to box Parker in Riyadh on February 22. But a sudden illness abruptly ruled him out of the fight.

His trainer Don Charles has no doubt withdrawing Dubois was the correct Duration of action.

“Upon the recommendation of the doctors we opted not to put our fighter in that situation, save him from that situation. Live to fight another day,” Charles told Sky Sports.

“We did the right thing. Every day I wake up, I know we did the right thing. You have to sometimes save fighters from themselves. Daniel wanted to fight. They are gladiators. They want to fight.

“I don’t think it’s wise thing in a Division fight to go and take that chance of if you don’t blow Parker out in the Primary half of the fight, who’s to say because you’re ill, illness doesn’t Boot in.”

Dubois has subsequently been criticised for not going through the bout.

“He shouldn’t have fought and we didn’t and I’m glad,” Charles insisted. “It does anger me when I hear some of the comments of people. I always repeat: we’re not in the macho business, we’re in the Intelligent business.”

Given that Dubois Secured the Parker fight as a voluntary defence, that Dubois had completed a Packed Rehearsal camp for the Event and had travelled out to Riyadh for the fight, the IBF heavyweight champion had every incentive to box, if he’d been fit to do so.

The financial incentive alone would have been huge.

“We had to do the Intelligent thing. I also remind the Spectators this was Daniel Dubois’ highest pay to date in his professional Profession,” Charles revealed. “His Profession-highest purse.

“Three and a half months of sheer Difficult work and the money that it costs to do a camp of that magnitude.

“We then went all the way to Riyadh, 48 hours before he’s due to fight he showed signs of illness.

“It cost him money. To do a three and half month camp at this level, it costs a Numerous of money. So he’s lost all that. The whole Club, we’re gutted.

“When I’m hearing people say ‘oh he ducked it’, ‘he ducked the fight’ – it’s not logical. It is what it is. We’re where we are and we look forward.

“Why would you then go to all the trouble of an Costly camp, travel to Riyadh and then opt not to fight? For what?

“Let me tell you something about the human Event – they want blood,” he added. “We’re Yet bloodthirsty. It’s back in the medieval Periods, they’re Yet thirsting for blood. Somebody’s blood. That’s what that’s all about.”

Viral illness has affected Dubois in some of his previous camps. “It’s a reoccurring illness. We need to get to the bottom of it and see what’s causing it,” Charles said.

But he is Predicted to box in the summer. Dubois could meet unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight world title fight, although Parker is the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBO Track Landmark.

Parker’s Club hope he gets the Try at Usyk before Dubois. “Everybody’s Acquired their opinion, Parker deserves this, Parker deserves that. Parker’s a lovely human being, he’s a brilliant boxer,” Charles said.

“Who am I to say that he doesn’t deserve it? If it’s for him and his people are able to manoeuvre him, Excellent luck to the man. All I know is Daniel’s ready to fight anybody.

“Whoever our promoter brings to us Subsequent is who we’re going to fight.”

When it comes to considering who ‘deserves’ the Usyk fight, Charles points out that Parker didn’t Fall out on a fight or a payday when Martin Bakole stepped in for Dubois.

“Also pulling him out when we did was the right time. Imagine if it was the day after? [Bakole] Acquired his opportunity there,” the trainer explained. “It didn’t work out for him but I have to salute him for stepping in on such Petite notice.

“Eight times out of 10, there’s no replacement, [in that case] Parker would haven’t fought that night. Then you could have an argument as such ‘oh he deserves to get a fight’. He Acquired a Excellent name, he Acquired paid handsomely to have that fight against Bakole. And the way the business is, I’m not a promoter, but it moves. Every second it moves.”

Usyk’s Club has been discussing Securing the Dubois unification Subsequent. “There’s a few options there and that’s one of the options that’s been mentioned. That’s not my department,” Charles said.

But the trainer is adamant that Dubois, who lost to Usyk in 2023, is now ready for the rematch.

“Since we’ve been working together he fought Usyk, [Jarrell] Miller, [Filip] Hrgovic, Joshua, then Parker would have been his Subsequent fight. It’s Unbelievable, the Streak,” said Charles, who was the Boxing News trainer of the year at the British Boxing Board of Control annual awards in recognition of that Triumph.

“When you’re holding one of the titles, he’s Acquired the IBF heavyweight Track Landmark, so you have to be able to take on all comers and that’s where we’re at,” Charles said of Dubois rematching Usyk.

“He’s a champion, a world champion, Daniel Dubois. We’re in the business of fighting. So long as it makes sense, then yeah.”