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Brad Lewis: Joseph Parker swindled by Dubois and promoter Warren
Brad Lewis • February 27th, 2025 5:30 pm
Photo: Photosport
Now, it’s important for me to state that this is just my opinion and there is a little bit of speculation wrapped around a few things I heard on the ground in Saudi Arabia.
Parker was a very dangerous roadblock for Dubois on the way to the biggest, most important fight of his life later this year against Oleksandr Usyk - a fight that would unify boxing's four heavyweight titles and a fight that would earn Dubois close to US$100 million.
Dubois lost $10m in purse money for his late withdrawal last week. I could be cynical and suggest even the worst mathematician could work out the risk vs reward for Dubois in putting an enormous payday on the line, for a fight where a loss would set his career back three years.
Parker looked in career-best shape at the pre-fight open workouts. Fast, powerful and confident. Twenty-four hours after the workouts, Dubois fell sick, and a few hours after that he was withdrawn.
Within minutes, his manager Warren noted that the “perverted” part of this was they could start negotiating with Usyk immediately, if desired.
Photo: Photosport
Are you kidding me, Frank? How disrespectful to Parker could you be?
Parker literally put his career on the line on 48 hours’ notice against a guy in Martin Bakole who no heavyweight inside the top 10 wanted to fight.
A loss for Parker would have had his aspirations to become undisputed world champion in the mud. But ultimately, Parker stepped up like a warrior and destroyed a very dangerous man.
Seconds after that fight, Usyk confirmed Dubois was next for him.
Are you taking the piss, mate?
If he knew that, then the cynical me would suggest negotiations were already well advanced - if not completed.
What a joke and what a slap in the face for a bloke like Parker, who laid his cards on the table and went all in.
Now, Parker is almost in a worse spot than he was a week ago. He’s not getting a title shot and now it appears he’ll have to go through an Anthony Joshua, Ajit Kabayel or another contender below him in the rankings.
Parker wont budge at the challenge though – but that’s not the point. In fact, I’m pretty confident he would welcome a fight with a fading Joshua, but it’s another crossroads fight for Joe where it’s lose-lose.
Can I prove my speculation that Dubois dodged Parker at the final hour?
No, I can’t.
Can you convince me he didn’t dodge Parker?
No, you can’t.
Listen to this week's episode of the Fight Club podcast below:
