Hearn predicts place for Parker in flourishing British boxing scene

Eddie Hearn has rejected suggestions Dillian Whyte is ducking a rematch with Joseph Parker but believes the Kiwi heavyweight will soon break back into the lucrative British boxing scene.

Hearn announced Whyte (24-1) will take on fellow Brit Dereck Chisora (29-8) on December 22 at London’s O2 Arena — their rematch coming two years after Whyte won a controversial split decision in a brutal 12-round war many described as one of the best modern heavyweight scraps.

Whyte, the No 1 ranked heavyweight challenger with the WBO and WBC, recorded a unanimous decision over Parker in July.

After dominating the middle stages and perhaps benefitting from an early head clash, Whyte was saved by the final bell following a belated flurry from Parker, the 26-year-old Kiwi-Samoan.

Parker’s promoter David Higgins has been vocal recently, suggesting Whyte is now “running scared” of a rematch, a clear tactic to maintain his fighter’s profile in the UK.

Influential Matchroom kingpin Hearn knocked back Higgins’ claims but left the door open for Parker, who starts his comeback against American Alexander Flores in Christchurch on December 15, to return to the glamour echelon of the division.

“Anyone who knows Dillian knows he doesn’t duck anybody. He could be standing by for a fight with Anthony Joshua but he’s choosing to rematch Dereck Chisora,” Hearn told the Weekend Herald.

“The Parker rematch would be a great fight. It was a great fight first time around. Ultimately, Dillian wants a shot at a world title, so that’s where he’s looking at the moment.

“I’m excited to see Joseph Parker back. He’s a guy who has proven he’s willing to fight the best. After the Anthony Joshua fight, he didn’t have to take a fight like Dillian Whyte but he wanted to because he believed he’d win.

“If it wasn’t for those middle rounds, he may have won that fight. He’ll be back. He’s a young man. I’m looking forward to seeing him fight later in the year, and who knows what the future holds?”

Asked if there was unfinished business between Parker and Whyte, given their gripping finish, Hearn said: “I don’t feel like anyone thought Joseph won the fight, so in that respect, it wasn’t controversial. It was a close fight and the ending was thrilling.

“I see Joseph Parker in and around this division for a long time, and if you do that, naturally you’re going to be in fights like Dillian Whyte.

“After the Anthony Joshua fight, Higgins wanted a rematch with Joshua. After the Dillian Whyte fight, he wanted that rematch. Being as young as Parker, if he continues to stay in the game and continues to win, all those fights are going to come full circle.”

Whyte, wearing beads gifted to him by Parker’s uncle, was more forthright in dismissing a rematch any time soon, saying he never considered it, as they were now on different levels.

“He’s still in the top 10, so anything is a possibility, but right now, you have to join the queue. There’s a whole list of people waiting to beat me up,” Whyte said. “At the minute, his brand is a bit diminished, so there’s no point me fighting him, but two or three wins in the heavyweight division and you’re right back.”

Floor the relatively unknown Flores with a dominant display, and Hearn believes Parker (24-2) will again be in the mix.

“I think he should have a good win later this year and then maybe go and box in America as well. It’s a vibrant market. He can take his time. He gambled on the Dillian Whyte fight because if he won, it would have put him straight back in a position for a world title.”

Hearn has locked in an April 13 date at Wembley for Joshua’s next title defence. Depending on results and negotiations, that could be a second fight against Whyte or much anticipated showdown with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, provided he gets past Tyson Fury on December 1 in Los Angeles, which is no given.

“Wilder is the target 100 per cent,” Hearn said. “He’s the only person at the moment Joshua is focused on. But if we can’t get the Wilder fight done, then we need to get in a position with Dillian if he wins on December 22 where that fight happens in April.

“As a Brit, I want Tyson to win, but in terms of moving forward to an undisputed fight, we’d like to see Wilder get the victory.”

David Haye, now promoting Chisora, didn’t rule out the prospect of Parker taking on his new charge down the line either.

“Parker is going to be in and around the heavyweight division for many years to come, so if Chisora keeps performing, I’m sure their paths will cross.”