Parker up for Chisora challenge
Joseph Parker’s promoter has confirmed the Kiwi heavyweight is open to returning to the UK for a proposed fight with Britain’s Dereck Chisora – provided it is on the right terms.
In an interview with Sky Sports in the UK, Duco Events’ David Higgins said he hoped to open talks with rival promoter Eddie Hearn this week about matching Parker with the veteran British slugger, who is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss to Dillian Whyte in December.
Hearn recently expressed interest in bringing Parker back to Britain to face Chisora as part of a night of heavyweight clashes in London on April 20. The bout would likely feature on the undercard of a bill topped by Whyte against an as yet to be confirmed opponent.
And Higgins said Parker is ‘‘willing to step in with anyone’’ as he looks to regain a world title after relinquishing his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua last March.
‘‘Like most top heavyweights, Joseph will be willing to fight anyone,’’ Higgins told Sky Sports.
‘‘I see Eddie Hearn mentioning Chisora publicly. If the deal was right, then sure enough, Joseph certainly will not back away from anyone. It will be interesting to see how that pans out.
‘‘There’s been one email from Eddie. No detailed discussion whatsoever.
‘‘As I say, Joseph would be willing to step in with anyone, provided it’s the right terms. I’m hoping to speak to Eddie this week.’’
Chisora has a patchy professional record of 29 wins and nine losses from his 38 bouts, though his defeats have come against high-calibre opposition, including Whyte (twice), former world champions Tyson Fury (twice), David Haye and Vitali Klitschko, and top contender Kubrat Pulev.
The 35-year-old Londoner was also up on two scorecards before Whyte knocked him out with vicious left hook in their rematch at London’s O2 Arena on December 22.
Last July, the rugged Brit scored the most impressive victory of his career, knocking out former Parker foe Carlos Takam in the eighth round of a slugfest that revived his flagging career.
Chisora recently teamed up with former WBA champion Haye and has improved his fitness and conditioning under the ‘‘Hayermaker’s’’ guidance.
Parker, meanwhile, has been enjoying a break with his family since scoring a third-round knockout win over Alexander Flores in December.