This one symptom is what ultimately led to Daniel Dubois having to withdraw from his fight against Joseph Parker.

In a curious sight, Bakole was spotted wearing Dubois' black Fly-branded gloves with "DDD" written across them in his fight with Joseph Parker for the WBO interim heavyweight title at the Anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It would have been the latest IBF title defence for Dubois following his destructive knockout win over Anthony Joshua in September, and his promoter Frank Warren revealed at the weigh-in just what ‘DDD’ made of having to withdraw from Saturday’s fight.

World heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois withdrew on Thursday from his scheduled title defense against Joseph Parker on Saturday after falling ill.

Joseph Parker defied his doubters with a demolition of Martin Bakole on Saturday, after Daniel Dubois withdrew due to illness. Dubois was due to defend the IBF heavyweight title against Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the Briton fell ill on Thursday. As such, organisers were left scrambling for a replacement on two days’ notice.

Dubois was due to defend the IBF heavyweight title against Parker on Saturday, but the champion was pulled from the fight on two days’ notice due to illness. That led Bakole to step in, as the “most-avoided” heavyweight fights Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

One of the most highly-anticipated matchups in the iconic February 22 'The Last Crescendo' Riyadh Season card is the fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Park

Mark Lyson, a judge and referee for many high-profile bouts, was soaking in the atmosphere before he began his official capacities on fight night. He was another face left stunned by the potential collapse of what was certain to be a heavyweight blockbuster.