Summary:
- Daniel Dubois will defend his heavyweight title against former WBO champion Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia in February.
- Dubois is looking to build on his dominant win over Anthony Joshua, while Parker aims to continue streak of four consecutive victories.
- The Riyadh Season card will feature a rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Daniel Dubois is set to defend his world heavyweight crown against former WBO champion Joseph Parker in a high-stakes boxing clash scheduled for February 22 in Saudi Arabia.
The bout marks Dubois’ second title defense after his electrifying victory over Anthony Joshua last September, where he claimed the IBF belt in a stunning five-round upset at Wembley Stadium.
Impressive Career for Dubois
The 27-year-old Briton has transformed his career following a 2020 loss to Joe Joyce, evolving into a fearless and confident puncher.
He claimed the interim title last year with a dominant victory over Filip Hrgovic and was later elevated to world champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the belt.
The Londoner solidified his status as a legitimate champion by defying expectations and defeating two-time titleholder Anthony Joshua in a stunning five-round performance at Wembley Stadium.
His recent dominance has sparked speculation about potential blockbuster fights, including a rematch with Joshua or an undisputed showdown with the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s upcoming bout.
Parker Rides Wave of Momentum
Meanwhile, Parker, 32, enters the ring riding a wave of momentum, having secured four consecutive victories.
The New Zealander, who held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018 before losing it to Joshua, has reinvigorated his career under the guidance of trainer Andy Lee.
His recent triumphs over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang underline his readiness for another shot at heavyweight glory.
What Else is On the Card
The star-studded event in Riyadh will also feature a rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight title.
Beterbiev edged out Bivol via a majority decision in October, but many felt Bivol deserved the win. Their rivalry promises another thrilling chapter as the two Russian fighters battle for supremacy.
Also on the card, Londoner Hamzah Sheeraz, undefeated in 21 fights with 17 knockouts, will challenge WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames for his first world title.
The 25-year-old has rapidly risen through the ranks after working on his skills in the United States and is now facing a career-defining opportunity.
British light-heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith will clash for Buatsi’s WBO interim title.
Smith, a former super-middleweight champion, rebounded from a loss to Beterbiev earlier this year with a decisive victory over Carlos Galvan, while Buatsi secured his title on the undercard of Dubois’ win against Joshua.
Other highlights include Shakur Stevenson defending his WBC lightweight belt against Floyd Schofield and Zhilei Zhang taking on Agit Kabayel for the interim WBC heavyweight title.
The latest odds and betting opportunities for these bouts and more can be found with the Best Non UK Betting Sites for Players from the UK