No miracle makeover for Parker

This was no miracle makeover, just a bit of a quick polish, as Joseph Parker’s supposed reinvention ended in a lucky escape in Manchester.

Parker’s split decisionwin over the rugged Dereck Chisora was as unconvincing for the performance as it was for the result.

The calls of ‘‘robbery’’ may have been a bit harsh in a fight that was difficult to score at times because of the claustrophobic style of Chisora.

I scored it 114-113 for Chisora, who I felt claimed the tight 12th round to take the result with the help of the extra point for his first round knockdown of Parker.

If Chisora had won, Parker would now have been written off. Instead, he survives to circle the top ranks of the division though he still has questions hanging over him that this gutsy performance didn’t really answer.

Seven weeks was never really enough for coach Andy Lee to imprint his influence on 29-yearold Parker and, as his trainer suspected, the Kiwiwas guilty of reverting to some of his bad old habits as the pressure increased.

To have Parker admit after the fight that he had strayed from the game plan at times, was a repeat of many of his recent efforts under his long-term coach Kevin Barry.

Therewas no real evidence of increasedmenace in his punches as both Parker and Lee had promised ahead of the fight. Chisora soaked up everything flung at him.

And there were concentration lapses too, alarming ones at either end of the fight. To be knocked down after seven seconds was inexcusable for Parker who knew Chisora would come at him like a raging bull from the opening bell.

Then to ignore an open chance to finish a dazed Chisora on the ropes in the final round defied belief. It wasn’t all bad from Parker.

His conditioning was superb as he soaked up Chisora’s relentless pressure.

Therewere flashes of his renowned hand speed resurfacing as he flicked off some telling combinations over the back half of the fight. His heart and resilience can’t be denied as heworked his way back into the fight from that first round shock.

But right now he still looks a step down from the top tier of the division, just as he did before.