Twist of fate boosts Parker

Joseph Parker’s stocks have been boosted for a planned return to England that could see his hoped-for fight against Dereck Chisora given headline status.

The Kiwi heavyweight’s clash with the rugged Chisora is ‘‘very much in play’’ for April 20 at the O2 Arena in London, according to British promoter Eddie Hearn.

Originally it was suggested as an undercard fight for a night to be headlined by Dillian Whyte, the last fighter to beat Parker who subsequently knocked out Chisora.

But Whyte has been ordered to fight American Dominic Breazeale for the WBC’s interim title, a fight that would put the winner in the prime position to be the mandatory challenger for the winner of the Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury rematch.

Hearn doesn’t believe the Whyte v Breazeale deal will be done in time for April 20 and is looking at alternatives, admitting promoting Parker is an option.

He also raised the prospect of trying to get British welterweight Amir Khan’s world title fight with American pound-for-pound star Terrence Crawford as a double act.

‘‘The April 20 show in London is definitely happening but I doubt it will be Dillian Whyte on that card,’’ Hearn said yesterday.

Asked how progress was going on Parker v Chisora and if that could be an alternative, Hearn replied: ‘‘That is in play, very much in play. It could headline the O2, it could still be a monster card but it’s not big enough as it’s own event to be a payper-view.

‘‘So do you add Khan on to that, do we marry up the two and do a big show through the night, do you add a bigger fight on the card? There are a lot of things that are in conversation.’’

Chisora against Parker is marketable.

Chisora is a local legend and Parker has made his name in the UK with three of his last four fights coming there, including his world title loss to Anthony Joshua and a thrilling battle with Whyte that saw both fighters on the canvas before the final bell rang on 12 thrilling rounds.

Beating the respected Chisora would put Parker back into the title talk but it’s a risky fight with a loss causing major damage to his current rebuild.