Joseph Parker suspects the timing of Daniel Dubois` withdrawal from their scheduled fight was suspicious.
Parker, who is experiencing a career resurgence, was scheduled to fight Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title on a major card in Saudi Arabia in February.
However, his opportunity to become a two-time heavyweight champion was lost just days before the Riyadh event when Dubois reportedly contracted a viral infection.
Dubois, 27, stated his withdrawal was based on medical advice.
Parker, who instead fought Martin Bakole, speculates that Oleksandr Usyk`s pursuit of an undisputed title fight might have influenced Dubois` decision to withdraw.
In an exclusive interview, Parker commented on the fight`s cancellation, saying he was “left in the dark.”
He added that he couldn`t truly doubt Dubois` reason and had to accept his word.
Dubois claimed he wasn`t feeling well and withdrew.
Parker finds the timing suspicious because Usyk had been challenging Dubois, and shortly after the withdrawal, the Usyk vs Dubois fight was announced.
Dubois is now scheduled to face pound-for-pound king Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship at Wembley on July 19.
While Parker still has suspicions, he indicated he wouldn`t dwell on Dubois` withdrawal.
He reiterated, “If a man says he`s sick, he`s sick. I`ve just got to take him for his word.”
Parker appears to be the frontrunner to face the winner of the Usyk-Dubois fight, as he is the mandatory challenger for the WBO title, which he previously held for nearly 18 months.
However, he remains cautious, mentioning that promoter Frank Warren has suggested he might be next in line for an undisputed unification bout.
Parker clarified that despite Warren`s comments, there have been no official discussions, and he views it as “just words at the moment.”
He expressed a desire for written confirmation and something “solid,” stating that currently, “it`s just words.”
If the fight materializes, he would be “extremely over the moon.”
Oliver Croft