Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker undercard fight | Boxing News

The highly-anticipated fight card headlined by Artur Bertebiev’s rematch with Dmitry Bivol has been dealt a blow with a last-minute undercard cancellation.

The historic occasion in Riyadh had seven world title or interim world title bouts lined up. One of essentially the most eagerly awaited fights this weekend options Daniel Dubois, who can be defending his IBF heavyweight gold strap towards seasoned fighter Joseph Parker.

However, the boxing group was left reeling when Floyd Schofield was pressured to withdraw from his scheduled bout towards Shakur Stevenson for the WBC world light-weight title.

Deemed ‘too unwell’ on Tuesday evening to obtain clearance from the British Boxing Board of Control for his scheduled match towards the champion, the 22-year-old American was already in Saudi Arabia making ready for Saturday evening’s fight however did not show up for the Grand Arrivals on Tuesday.

Speculation rapidly unfold that he had withdrawn after surprising allegations on social media advised he had been poisoned.

His father, Floyd Sr, posted a video on Instagram displaying his son in a hospital mattress, though he didn’t disclose the precise cause for his son’s withdrawal. A mysterious message on the American boxer’s X account learn: “People are going to feel dumb when they see the proof.

“People worry Floyd and this simply made him more targeted. Karma may be very actual… All issues can be revealed in time. We look ahead going home to Texas and on to the subsequent fight. The fight recreation is so soiled on this stage.”

While another post stated: “I will not say his title however their crew need to be banned from the game. I can see why people duck him, as a result of the bull that comes together with his crew.”

With Schofield out of the picture, Yorkshire’s own Josh Padley is set to step in as a surprise last-minute replacement to take on the American star this Saturday night.

The British contender, currently ranked 12th by the WBC for Stevenson’s 135-pound title, enters the bout fresh off a significant victory over previously undefeated Mark Chamberlain in September.

Before Schofield’s withdrawal, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shared his thoughts on the situation with IFL TV, saying: “I do not signify Floyd Schofield. What I imagine is – one of the problems, and I’ll be fully sincere, it is a bit of a ache within the a**.

“(The BBBofC) have a very strict rule of a check weight on the Wednesday of fight week. Now I’m not saying that rule is a bad rule, but nowhere else in the world, to my knowledge, of any major commission, has that rule.

“All of a sudden, you’ve got obtained a scenario the place a fighter like Floyd Schofield has to make a verify weight tomorrow. He would possibly wish to prepare tonight. He actually would not wish to be coming to the Grand Arrivals going, ‘Hello, everyone!’

“He’s getting ready for the check weight tomorrow. That’s why I believe he’s not here tonight. But that’s a question for Golden Boy, not for Eddie Hearn.”