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.

Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs), a 6-foot-6 slugger from The Republic of Congo, accepted Thursday's offer on just two days' notice and immediately boarded an airplane to replace Dubois in the co-main event against former champion Joseph Parker (35-3,

In a stunning turn of events just two days out from a modern-great fight card for boxing, Daniel Dubois fell ill and is out of his big heavyweight clash against Joseph Parker. Dubois is the second fighter this week to have been cost a place on the mega-card due to illness,