Daniel Dubois’ withdrawal from his world title defense against Joseph Parker due to illness resulted in more than just training camp expenses lost. He also missed out on what was expected to be the largest fight purse of his career.
Considering his previous fight was headlining against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium, this potential payday was undoubtedly significant.
Dubois was scheduled to face Parker in Riyadh on February 22nd, but a sudden illness forced him to pull out of the bout.
His trainer, Don Charles, firmly believes that withdrawing Dubois from the fight was the right decision.
“Following the doctors’ advice, we chose to remove our fighter from that situation, to protect him. It’s better to live and fight another day,” Charles stated to Sky Sports.
“We made the correct choice. Every day, I’m certain we did the right thing. Sometimes you have to save fighters from their own will. Daniel wanted to fight; they are gladiators, they have that fighter mentality.”
“I don’t believe it’s wise to risk a championship fight when you’re ill, thinking you can just knock Parker out early. What if your illness takes hold later in the fight?”
Charles was angered by some comments criticizing Dubois for not proceeding with the fight. “I always emphasize, we are in the smart business, not just the macho business.”
Given that Dubois chose to defend his title against Parker voluntarily, had completed a full training camp, and had traveled to Riyadh, he had every reason to fight if he were healthy enough. The financial reward alone was a major incentive.
“We had to act wisely. I also want to remind everyone that this was Daniel Dubois’ highest earning fight of his professional career,” Charles disclosed. “His biggest purse to date.”
“Three and a half months of intense hard work and the considerable expenses of a training camp of this level were invested.”
“We traveled all the way to Riyadh, and 48 hours before the fight, he began showing signs of illness.”
“It cost him financially. A three-and-a-half-month camp at this level is very costly. So, he’s lost all of that. The entire team is disappointed.”
“When I hear people say ‘he ducked it’, ‘he avoided the fight’ – it’s illogical. It is what it is. We are where we are, and we are moving forward.”
“Why would anyone go through the trouble of an expensive camp, travel to Riyadh, and then choose not to fight? What would be the reason?”
“Let me tell you something about people – they crave excitement,” he added. “We are still bloodthirsty. It’s like in medieval times, they still thirst for blood. Someone’s blood. That’s what it comes down to.”
Viral illness has been a recurring issue for Dubois in previous training camps. “It’s a recurring illness. We need to investigate and find out the cause,” Charles explained.
Despite this setback, Dubois is expected to fight in the summer. A potential unification fight with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk is a possibility, although Parker is the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBO title.
Parker’s team hopes he will get a shot at Usyk before Dubois. “Everyone has their opinion, that Parker deserves this, Parker deserves that. Parker is a good person, a great boxer,” Charles said.
“Who am I to say he doesn’t deserve it? If it works out for him and his team can arrange it, good for him. All I know is Daniel is ready to fight anyone.”
“Whoever our promoter lines up for us next is who we will fight.”
Considering who ‘deserves’ the Usyk fight, Charles pointed out that Parker didn’t lose a fight or a payday because Martin Bakole replaced Dubois.
“Also, pulling him out when we did was timely. Imagine if it was the day after? [Bakole] got his opportunity,” the trainer explained. “It didn’t go his way, but I commend him for stepping in on such short notice.”
“Eight times out of ten, there’s no replacement, in that scenario, Parker wouldn’t have fought that night. Then you could argue ‘oh he deserves a fight’. He got a well-known opponent, and he was well compensated for fighting Bakole. And in this business, I’m not a promoter, but things move fast. Every second counts.”
Usyk’s team has considered a unification fight with Dubois next. “There are several options, and that’s one of them that has been discussed. That’s not my area,” Charles said.
But Charles insists that Dubois, who lost to Usyk in 2023, is now ready for a rematch.
“Since we started working together, he has fought Usyk, [Jarrell] Miller, [Filip] Hrgovic, Joshua, and Parker was supposed to be next. It’s an incredible sequence,” said Charles, who was recognized as the Boxing News trainer of the year at the British Boxing Board of Control awards for his achievements.
“When you hold one of the titles, and he has the IBF heavyweight belt, you have to be prepared to face all challengers, and that’s where we are,” Charles stated regarding a potential Dubois rematch with Usyk.
“He is a champion, a world champion, Daniel Dubois. We are in the fight business. As long as it makes sense, then yes.”
