THE UNDERCARD for Anthony Joshua’s domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois has undergone ANOTHER major change just days before fight night.
The stacked card for Saturday night’s Wembley war, which will be contested in front of 96,000 fans, suffered a major blow last weekend.
The card was rocked by Liam Smith‘s virus-enforced withdrawal from his eagerly-anticipated clash with Josh Kelly.
There were fears a replacement for the former WBO light-middleweight champion wouldn’t be found and Kelly wouldn’t fight.
But a short-notice opponent has been found for the Sunderland slugger.
The undefeated Ishmael Davis has been drafted in on six days’ notice to take part in what will be the biggest fight of his career.
Davis, however, hasn’t got off the couch to trade heavy leather with Kelly at the home of English football.
‘The Black Panther’ was already in a training camp for an IBF Intercontinental super-lightweight showdown with Uisma Lima on the undercard of Jack Catterall‘s October clash with Regis Prograis.
Recalling how he found out about Smith’s withdrawal, Kelly, 30, told The Stomping Ground: “[I found] literally through my team.
“Adam [Booth] was like, ‘He’s pulled out.’ And I was like, ‘What?’
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ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley
“But things can’t be helped sometimes. If he’s genuinely sick, then he’s sick. So I can’t help that.
“People are having different assumptions, but I just keep my mindset on what I’m doing, to be honest.”
Kelly then said of Davis: “[He’s] a strong, sturdy guy. But he’s just not on my level.
“He’s gonna come forward and put his hands up and try and work the body.
“But I’m prepared for that with Liam, so it’s a perfect, perfect style.”
An over-joyed Davis wrote on Instagram: “Change of plans, looks like we’re heading to Wembley!
“I’m about to shock the world.
“I want to thank @eddiehearn @franksmith @turkialalshik @matchroomboxing for this huge opportunity!
“Also, I want to thank @leeeaton for making this happen.
“Fighting with 6 days’ notice at middleweight, but you already know.”
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