Parker vs Chisora 2 LIVE: Fight result, reaction and latest updates
The New Zealander prevailed on the cards (115-110, 115-111 and 114-112) in Manchester to leave no room for doubt in the heavyweight rematch
Joseph Parker gained a more comprehensive victory over Derek Chisora to close the chapter on their rivalry after an action-packed heavyweight rematch in Manchester.
Parker had prevailed via a disputed split points verdict in May but the former WBO champion left little room for doubt this time around, with Chisora taking a count in the fourth round with only the ropes keeping him upright.
Chisora was then put down by vicious uppercuts from his New Zealand foe in each of the seventh and eighth rounds but showed immense heart to continue and he rallied in the closing stages to hear the final bell at the AO Arena.
Parker was unsurprisingly given the nod by all three judges - although scores of 115-110, 115-111 and 114-112 were perhaps a little closer than many anticipated - to stay on track for a second tilt at a world title.
Parker, who improved his record to 30 wins from 32 professional contests, told BBC Radio 5 live afterwards: “What a fight. Derek brings it from the first round all the way to the 12th.”
There were occasions when Chisora looked to be out on his feet and on more than one occasion referee Howard Foster seemed poised to step in but the British veteran bravely kept on swinging and had pockets of success.
However, this was a 12th defeat in 44 fights for the 37-year-old, who has been advised to retire by his conqueror.
Parker added: “Personally I would love to see him walk away. He’s given boxing everything he has and honestly he’s a credit to the sport.
“He keeps coming at you, it’s crazy when he’s in fights. I’d love to see him walk away but that’s his decision.”
The first meeting between the pair, behind closed doors because of Covid-19, got off to a frenzied start when Parker was put down by an overhand right within the first 10 seconds before recovering and finishing the stronger fighter.
There was no such drama in the opening seconds this time but this was unquestionably a more riveting affair, with Chisora absorbing a couple of right uppercuts early on, which would prove to be the key punch in Parker’s arsenal.
Another uppercut in the fourth sent Chisora staggering back into the ropes, which prevented a knockdown but led to Foster administering a count, but the Londoner hit back to banish any thoughts of a swift finish to the fight.
Chisora weathered more heavy blows in the sixth and was put down by another uppercut in the seventh but once again came roaring back, with Parker covering up in the final few seconds as his opponent unleashed a furious assault.
Chisora hit the deck for the third and final time in the next round, with Parker following up a glancing uppercut with a push, but he was unable to apply the finishing touches.
Parker looked to tire after bearing the brunt of a sustained body attack, having come into this fight 10lbs heavier than their first fight, and it seemed Chisora was the fresher of the two down the stretch.
The pair continued to trade some fearsome punches down the stretch but Parker had done enough to win, with the standing count and two knockdowns ultimately proving decisive.
RINGSIDE REPORT: Joseph Parker outpoints Derek Chisora in brutal rematch to settle rivalry
Derek Chisora‘s bravery or bravado has never been in question, but perhaps Manchester has now witnessed the well being emptied for a final time. On a Saturday night stirred by promises of revenge, one of British boxing’s stalwarts summoned all the reserves of his gladiatorial spirit, survived three referee’s counts, and continued to heave punches out of the past in an effort to keep the present at bay.
But at the end of twelve brutally compelling rounds, there could be no doubt or controversy. Once again, he and Joseph Parker headed to the scorecards, but by that point the decision was already devastatingly conclusive. Victory will propel a significantly improved Parker back towards the upper echelons of the heavyweight division and, on this evidence, it is not impossible to imagine the New Zealander scaling those heights once again too.
A twelfth defeat of Chisora’s haphazard career highlighted the shortcomings that have always precluded him from the true elite, but it cannot detract from a towering spirit that still refuses to be toppled. At 37 years old, the end should beckon, but an unswerving love of the fight game and all its riches may lure him back to the ring yet again, even if questions of retirement will inevitably be levelled in the aftermath.
Joseph Parker outpoints Derek Chisora in brutal rematch to settle rivalry
The Briton was dropped twice in 12 absorbing rounds in Manchester, with the New Zealander prevailing once again
Parker vs Chisora 2
Buatsi picks Fury vs Wilder 3 as his fight of the year and Galahad vs Martinez as his upset of the year.
Parker vs Chisora 2
“I’ve asked him to stop for a long time,” Bellew said.
“But he loves fighting, who am I to tell him to stop?
“You can’t write Derek off. I don’t want him to be a stepping stone for young guys coming through.
“The last thing you want is Del coming in against youth, guys who wouldn’t touch him in his prime.
“But that’s on him. I’m in no position to tell him.”
Parker vs Chisora 2
Buatsi: “He was a sharp-shooter tonight.
“A quick left hook, you didn’t see it, a quicker uppercut, you didn’t see it.
“He was very controlled.”
Bellew: “That’s a Kronk thing. Very strategic in the way they attack.
“He’s picking certain shots. As I say, very good performance from Parker. It’s a sharp-shooting performance, his style is changing under Lee.
“The shape he is in got him (Chisora) through the fight.”
Parker vs Chisora 2
Bellew on the scorecards: “Insane, I don’t understand how that’s come about. That’s crazy.
“He (Parker) pressed it, landed the harder punches. The difference was Parker starting quick and getting his attention.
“He (Chisora) wasn’t the same after the first knockdown. A friend, a brother, what he showed was unbelievable dedication, I’m proud of him.
“I don’t know what those judges are watching.”
Parker vs Chisora 2
Lee: “You see a lot of improvements. He managed the fight perfectly.
“Yes, mistakes, that’s a good thing, we can improve on them. I’m proud of him.”
Hearn: “Chisora is not human. It’s a massive win for Parker.
“There was zero quit in him. This is the toughest sport in the world.
Parker wants another shot at a world title shot, maybe an eliminator against Hrgovic? He continues to chase a world title shot.”
Parker vs Chisora 2
Lee: “You see a lot of improvements. He managed the fight perfectly.
“Yes, mistakes, that’s a good thing, we can improve on them. I’m proud of him.”
Hearn: “Chisora is not human. It’s a massive win for Parker.
“There was zero quit in him. This is the toughest sport in the world.”
Parker: “I don’t know, he’s one tough guy.
“He never stopped coming until the end. What a Christmas present.
“I felt a lot stronger than the first fight. It was important to start strong.
“There are a lot of improvements to be made. I rushed it a bit, didn’t sit down on my punches.
“There’s a lot of practice to be done. He’s a credit to the sport of boxing. The crowd went mental when he came out.
“I’m grateful to be here in the UK.”
Parker vs Chisora 2
“This sport takes it out of you, I thought wow, boxing is different,” says Buatsi.
“He showed there was life in his legs. As fighters, if our hearts are beating, we say, we’re good.”
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