Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from defending his International Boxing Federation heavyweight title against Joseph Parker in Riyadh on Saturday night after falling ill.

Dubois, 27, who stopped Anthony Joshua in five rounds last September at Wembley Stadium, was struck from the card in Saudi Arabia after being assessed by a doctor.

Parker will now face dangerous puncher Martin Bakole, ranked the seventh best heavyweight in the world by The Ring magazine.

The fight-week drama follows American Floyd Schofield’s withdrawal from his world title clash with compatriot Shakur Stevenson, after Schofield was hospitalised through a mystery illness.

Parker, 33, is a former World Boxing Organisation heavyweight champion having lost his title by decision to Joshua in Cardiff in 2018. He has a record of 35 victories and three defeats.

Bakole, who is Congolese and trains in Scotland, has 21 victories with 16 knockouts. This represents a major opportunity for the 31-year-old heavyweight who was due to fight Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba in May in the United States as a final eliminator for Dubois’ world championship title.

Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, confirmed that his fighter was undergoing medical examinations at Thursday’s press conference.

“Unfortunately, at this moment in time, Daniel is being evaluated by a doctor and when we have more news, we will share it with you and update you.” said Warren before Dubois’ withdrawal was confirmed.

Spencer Brown, Parker’s manager, said that contingencies had been drawn up once Dubois’ illness first came to light.

“There will be a fight. Whoever we’re going to fight on Saturday, Joe’s up for it,” said Brown. “He doesn’t care. He’s one of those fighters. He’ll fight anybody.”

Parker will defend his WBO Interim title against Bakole.