Gloves are on: Parker v Chisora confirmed
Heavyweights Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora have finally agreed terms and will fight in London in late October.
Remaining issues over drugtesting and the timing of the fight have been sorted for the October 26 clash which will be broadcast into New Zealand at a reasonable hour on the Sunday morning of October 27.
‘‘I’d like to thank Dereck Chisora and his manager David Haye agreeing to the drug testing programme, ’’ Parker’s manager David Higgins told Stuff.
Parker had insisted a 24/7 testing policy under boxing’s Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) rules for blood and urine samples be implemented immediately for a fight that is vital to his hopes of getting back into the world title frame.
Team Parker had concerns over recent doping infringements that included his last British opponent Dillian Whyte being in hot water in July and American Jarrell Miller banned after being caught doping in the leadup to his world title fight with Anthony Joshua.
Parker v Chisora will be a comain event for the card at London’s O2 Arena that includes a world title unification fight between Britain’s Josh Taylor and American Regis Prograis in the super lightweight division.
Parker is already in Las Vegas training for the Chisora fight, heading there last week in anticipation of the deal being done and wanting to maximise his time with trainer Kevin Barry.
The durable Chisora, 35, provides a more than worthy challenge for former WBO champion Parker. The Briton’s record is 31-9 with the 27-year-old Parker at 26-2.
Chisora is heavy-handed and with noted punching power that goes deep into fights, meaning ever-present dangers for the New Zealander who is on the second of a three-fight deal with British promoter Eddie Hearn. The fight ends lengthy talks which were going on for most of the year and frustrating Parker.
Parker returns to Britain after back-to-back stoppages of Alexander Flores and Alex Leapai.
‘‘Chisora will come with experience and he will come with pressure,’’ Parker said.
‘‘He’s coming off two good wins, so he’ll be full on confidence and out to make a statement. As always, I back myself against any fighter on this planet.
‘‘I’ve always had a lot of love and support from my UK fans and I can’t wait for my return. A win here takes me another step towards targeting the other top names in the division and becoming a two-time world champion.’’
Chisora, a fan favourite in London, is back at the scene of last month’s early knockout triumph over Poland’s Artur Szpilka.
‘‘I’ve now given him all the time he needed,’’ Chisora said of the prolonged fight negotiations with Parker finally being completed.