Joseph Parker vs. Derek Chisora - May 1, 2021

[nmhz]

Parker has split from Kevin Barry.

A positive step forward for Parker imo. It sounds like he will be staying in NZ to train which may create the challenge of finding a quality trainer to take him further

[KiwiRider]

Parker has split from Kevin Barry.

A positive step forward for Parker imo. It sounds like he will be staying in NZ to train which may create the challenge of finding a quality trainer to take him further

He's actually spent more time stateside training than anywhere else since before the title shot.

[gregregegg]

Think this split will just be barry wanting to go home and parker wanting to stay home. Dosent bring me much hope in parker having a top quality camp, guessing he ends up at city kickboxing great MMA gym, but not exactly known for boxing. Not ideal but hard to blame parker for wanting to stay in NZ, has enough cash to retire now anyway id guess, the rest is gravy.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker Parts Ways With Longtime Head Trainer Kevin Barry

“Without Kevin I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Parker noted in a statement on Thursday. “Together we made it to the very top. Kevin was with me every step of the way, guiding my progress inside and outside of the ring. So it is with genuine sadness that I confirm our partnership has come to an end.

“But the time just feels right. It’s fitting that we closed this chapter of my career with a win in front of a great home crowd in Auckland, and with bigger things just on the horizon. I know Kevin will always be in my corner.”

“I’m hugely proud to have played a part in New Zealand and Samoa crowning their first heavyweight world champion,” noted Barry, best known for winning by disqualification over Evander Holyfield en route to a Silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. “It has been an amazing journey with Joseph and Team Parker. But all journeys must come to an end, and the time is right for myself and Joseph to go in our own directions. I have been in New Zealand for five months now, away from my family and my other fighters. I have three guys fighting for world titles this year and have responsibilities with them and a few new guys.

“It’s not possible for me to stay in New Zealand any longer. For Joe, he has a wife and three young girls in New Zealand, and he wishes to spend more time here. I totally understand this and will always be in his corner and support him. We have always had a very close bond and I want nothing but the best for him. We have achieved so much together. It has been one heck of an amazing journey.”

“With Kevin based in Las Vegas and Joseph keen to spend more time in New Zealand – and not to mention the restrictions on travel created by Covid-19 – this was a natural time for one of New Zealand’s most successful sporting partnerships to come to a close,” stated David Higgins, Parker’s longtime promoter-turned-manager. “I’d personally like to pay tribute to Kevin. He worked tirelessly to make sure Joseph capitalized on his natural talent, and the results have been there for all to see. Kevin’s place in history as New Zealand’s finest boxing trainer is well and truly secure.”

[splashitallover]

Despite Parker never looking overwhelming in his biggest wins, fact is he did beat an in shape/focused/unbeaten Andy Ruiz Jnr in an entertaining scrap which he deserved to edge. Parkers skillset will be too much for Chisora........I can see Parker by KO.

[Enlightened-One]

Joseph Parker has been involved in the sport of boxing for almost twenty years and considered a world-rated heavyweight for the last five of them. He’s a former world champion, competed in four world title fights and also shared the ring with two world champions.

The Kiwi is a good mature experienced heavyweight and knows how to prepare for fights. He just needs decent sparring and a competent trainer capable of keeping things ticking over, since he’s probably already peaked – he has reached the point of his career where he won’t improve.

Whilst I’m sure Parker will feel Kevin Barry’s absence, the impact of the split probably won’t affect his performances inside the ring.

In fact, a new trainer and a change of scenery might invigorate him somewhat, because it’s been 2½ years since he’s looked impressive inside the ring.

The only problem with this theory though, is that the reason for Parker’s split with Barry is due to Joe not wanting to leave his comfort zone in New Zealand, which means he’ll struggle to replace Kevin with even a competent (let alone world class) coach that either resides in his neck of the woods or willing to travel and spend several months away from home.

Anyway, Joseph Parker earned about $20m a few years ago (during a four month spell when he fought AJ & Whyte) and he’ll likely receive another seven-digit purse for the Chisora fight, so he can afford to retire from the sport and still be a very happy man, if his split from Kevin Barry marks the end of his time as being a top-ten world-rated heavyweight.

[KiwiRider]

On the TV news last night, Ben Davidson was mentioned as a replacement.
Also the beef seems to be Barry employing his extended family to be on the Parker payroll, despite not having any experience.
This harks back to the beef between Barry and Tua.
Barry ended up sucking Tua dry, and not in "the good way"

[candyslim]

I think this is a more interesting match than it was when it was first scheduled. Back then I considered it a decent fight but a predictable if not necessarily comfortable win for Parker.

Now though I'm picking Parker by decision but I'd give Chisora a much bigger chance now based on their most recent performances.

[Crease]

Del Boy's one last hurrah - Del Boy by TKO...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Parker-Chisora: Hearn Putting Together Plans For May Pay-Per-View

Promoter Eddie Hearn is already laying down the plans for a May pay-per-view event, with heavyweights Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker colliding in the main event.

The original plan was for Hearn to stage a pay-per-view on May 1, featuring a featherweight fight between Josh Warrington and Can Xu.

After Warrington was recently knocked out by big underdog Mauricio Lara, that PPV plan went up in smoke.

Now Parker-Chisora is receiving the opportunity to replace that contest as the pay-per-view headliner.

"I don't want to give too much away but there is three other world championship fights, two big British names as well. I mean it's a special card that we're putting together. But there's quite a lot to do on it and we're running out of time," Hearn told IFL TV.

"So, I want to get it finalized this weekend before I go back to Texas next week for Chocolatito-Estrada. If we can pull off what I've got in front of me on the pad, which is my notes, then it'll be a really special night."

One of the fighters Hearn is looking to place on the undercard is WBA interim-middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. - who has been inactive since 2019 and recently signed a promotional deal with Team Sauerland.

"I'd like to try and get Eubank on the May 1st card with Chisora and Parker and everybody else. We'll be talking about that. He hasn't boxed for quite a long time but I think there's some big fights out there for him once he gets his return out the way," Hearn said.

Parker and Chisora were all set to face each other back in October 2018, but their fight was canceled after Parker withdrew with an illness - which he believes was due to a spider bite.

Chisora recently contacted Parker by way of a video call - where they verbally agreed to collide in May.

[Enlightened-One]

I hope Eddie Hearn tries to justify the commercial attractiveness of the Parker-Chisora PPV, by adding the catch-weight bout between Kell Brook and Chris Eubank Jr. on the undercard, rather than trying to sell this mismatch as a separate PPV.

[candyslim]

I'd say it's looking a lot less like a mismatch than it did when it was first scheduled prior to the hungry spider.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'd say it's looking a lot less like a mismatch than it did when it was first scheduled prior to the hungry spider.

Maybe not a mismatch, but it shouldn't be a PPV in the UK.

[Evander]

War Chisora

[Ruthless-RKO]

Andy Lee to train former heavyweight champion of the world, Joseph Parker

Andy Lee has taken over the coaching reigns of former heavyweight champion of the world Joseph Parker [28(21)-2(0)].

The New Zealand big man recently split with long-term trainer Kevin Barry, the pair parting ways after Parker defeated Junior Fa in his home country just over a week ago.

Parker now heads to London to team up with the former WBO middleweight champion.

It’s understood Lee was recommended to the 29-year-old by WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury.

Parker, who beat Andy Ruiz to become WBO world champion in 2016, is said to be flying to London today [Tuesday] to link up with Lee.

The Limerick native, who is part of Team Fury, and Parker, who split with long-time coach Barry last week, are said to be working together on a trial basis and will review the relationship after one fight.

That fight looks most likely to be a high-profile and eagerly anticipated clash with England’s Derek Chisora.

The move means Jason Quigley and Paddy Donovan can count the heavyweight, whose only defeats have come against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, as a training stablemate.

It also increases Lee’s influence and involvement in a booming heavyweight division.

[joshj909]

Since when was the UK closer to NZ than Vegas?

Either way, you'd have to say this initially looks like a good move.

[Enlightened-One]

So Parker’s manager claimed the reason for Joe’s split from Kevin Barry, was due to the Kiwi wanting to spend more time in New Zealand, but then Joe announces he’s travelling 11,500 miles to London to train with Andy Lee?

[margaret thatcher]

someone said that there was actually some sort of beef behind the split (kev wanting to bring in more of his family to get paid) and that the distance thing was a smokescreen , this would seem to support that cuz vegas and london are almost the exact same distance from nz lol, and looking at the flights available, the vegas ones are actually a few hours quicker

[candyslim]

I'd say it's looking a lot less like a mismatch than it did when it was first scheduled prior to the hungry spider.

Maybe not a mismatch, but it shouldn't be a PPV in the UK.

ah now that's a very different question. I wouldn't argue with your assertion Ruthless, but I would personally buy this fight on UK PPV provided, and only provided, it was backed by a strong undercard.

Of course it's important to not lose sight of the fact that UK PPV is about a third of what it costs in the US, so for me usually watching alone, I'll pay £20 when $60 would be out of the question.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[gregregegg]

Eddie got me again... His super epic PPV speech had me believing. I actually like the main fight, but the rest of the card Eh...

[margaret thatcher]

ya, 3 of those 4 are mismatches

[Cyclops]

What if Chisora actually wins?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker will collide in a heavyweight clash on a night of action that sees Irish star Katie Taylor defend her Undisputed Lightweight crown against former amateur rival Natasha Jonas and undefeated WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol put his Title on the line against Craig Richards, as well as the return of Chris Eubank Jr, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all markets excluding the UK, Ireland, China, New Zealand and Samoa.

Former World Title challenger Chisora (32-10, 23 KOs) was last seen pushing Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk all of the way in their 12-round battle for the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title at The SSE Arena, Wembley last October, and the fan favourite is chomping at the bit for his next challenge.

A meeting between the pair scheduled for October 2019 fell through at three-and-a-half weeks’ notice when Parker’s team revealed he was suffering from the aftereffects of a spider bite. Chisora, who was unconvinced with Team Parker’s reasons for pulling out in 2019, has labelled Parker a ‘chicken’ in recent weeks and says he has unfinished business with the Heavyweight contender.

Former WBO World Champion Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) is fresh off a hard-fought 12-round decision over long-time amateur nemesis Junior Fa at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand last month that settled an 11-year old rivalry with his compatriot, a win that he hopes will kickstart his route back to the top of the Heavyweight division.

Ranked at No.3 with the WBO, New Zealand’s Parker is well known on these shores having defended his WBO Title against Hughie Fury at Manchester Arena in September 2017, before taking unified ruler Anthony Joshua the distance at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in March 2018. His last appearance in the UK came against Dillian Whyte in a dramatic points loss in July 2018.

“We’ve been here before, in 2019 I flew to Vegas to film the 'Face To Face' with Parker, I called Haye as soon as I left and told him, ‘This guy isn’t going to get in the ring with me’, I could see the fear in his eyes,” said Chisora. “Now, second time around I hope he fights, I’m looking forward to the fight, I cannot wait to get back in the ring! I love fighting, it is what I love the most. Good luck to Joseph Parker and his new team, we shall see you for WAR on May 1st!”

“I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career with a new coach and some fresh ideas,” said Parker. “I’ve settled in and Andy and I are bonding well. Chisora and I have unfinished business and inside the ring one of us will get the job done. I am well aware that a win on British soil and on world-wide television will put me in pole position whereas a loss will be catastrophic. I am more than up for the challenge. Bring it on Del Boy.”

Taylor (17-0, 6 KOs) defeated Jonas (9-1-1, 7 KOs) in the quarter-final stages of the London 2012 Olympic Games on route to capturing Ireland’s first gold medal of the summer. The pair will meet again nearly ten years down the line with Taylor’s WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles on the line.

Since their first meeting in the amateurs, Taylor has gone on to cement herself as the best female fighter on the planet by winning World Titles in the Lightweight and Super-Lightweight divisions and remaining undefeated in all 17 of her professional contests. ‘KT’ was last seen outclassing her WBA Mandatory Challenger Miriam Gutierrez with a masterful display in November.

‘Miss GB’ came agonizingly close to winning her first World Title at the age of 36 last summer when she battled to a thrilling draw with WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Champion Terri Harper at Matchroom Fight Camp. It was the first time that two British women had competed against each other for a Word Title, and the all-action fight more than lived up to the occasion.

"Natasha proved in her last fight that she is still performing at the highest level so it's a great challenge for me and I'm really looking forward to it,” said Taylor. “It's a fight that people have been asking for and those are the type of fights you want to be part of.

"People still talk about our fight in the 2012 Olympics and I think that proved to be a real eye opener for people in terms of what women's boxing is all about. I'm expecting another tough fight on May 1st and I'm looking forward to successfully defending my Titles."

"I'm really excited about getting the fight, I made a lot of noise about not wanting to go down in level or class after establishing myself on the world stage in my last fight,” said Jonas. “I know Katie is a different type of animal to Terri Harper, but I believe every time I'm asked to step up, I do. I said I wanted to be a champion and anybody at 130 to 140 was in my sights, I know I'm a world class boxer and I can win a World Title.

"From the minute Eddie signed me this fight has been on the cards. Me and Katie had a great story from the Olympics, and we have both been pioneers in our own way. I'm glad that it's happening and it's a great fight for women's boxing and for British and Irish boxing."

Russia’s Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) is regarded as one of the best technical boxers in the sport, mixing his dazzling skills with KO power. The 30-year-old was elevated to full WBA 175lbs World Champion from interim champion ahead of his 12th pro fight with Trent Broadhurst in Monte Carlo in November 2017 and celebrated with a devasting one-punch KO in the first round. Bivol has subsequently defended his crown five times, but has been away from the ring since October 2019 when he widely outpointed Lenin Castillo at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Richards (16-1-1, 9 KOs) delivered a Fight of the Year contender last time out in December against fierce rival Shakan Pitters as he stopped the Birmingham man in nine rounds to earn the British Light-Heavyweight crown. ‘Spider’ is ranked at No.8 in the WBA world rankings and has earned his shot by remaining undefeated since sole career loss against former World Title challenger Frank Buglioni in October 2017.

“I have been out of the ring for a year and a half and I have sorely missed boxing,” said Bivol. “I can’t wait to step through the ropes for my next fight on May 1st. I have always wanted to fight in the UK and I’m happy to tick that box. Craig Richards is a fast and technical boxer and I’m expecting a great fight as I make another defence of my World Title.”

“I feel good and I feel very confident,” said Richards. “I know that he’s renowned as one of the best fighters out there, but I just believe that I’ve got the tools to beat him and I’m very confident in my abilities. I know I’ve got power as well, and I’ve got a very good chin. We’ve been planning for everything and anything.

"We know he’s been operating at world level for a long time and can bring different things to the table. I raise the level of my performance against my better opponents. The bigger the fight the better I perform. A fight like Bivol will allow me to go through my gears to show what I’m really about.”

Having previously campaigned at Super-Middleweight, Eubank Jr (29-2, 22 KOs) returned to the Middleweight division to claim the WBA Interim Middleweight World Title for the second time with a TKO win over former World Title challenger in December 2019, while making his US debut at the Barclays Centre in New York. In what will be his first fight back in the UK in over two years, the Brighton man faces Manchester’s Marcus Morrison (23-3, 16 KOs), who is enjoying a seven-fight winning streak that stretches back to June 2018.

“This is a good fight for me," said Eubank Jr. "Since signing with Sauerland my camp has been firing on all cylinders, I’ve been training with Roy in Miami and focusing on improving my game. I have the absolute best people around me, I have everything I need to push on to that next level and dominate the Middleweight scene.

"People have a lot to say about me and my career. There's talks about why fights haven’t happened previously, but all I’ve been doing is focusing on number one, training hard and making sure I’m always ready. I’m now in the best place I can be and I’m ready to take what is mine.”

"I’m well aware that this is a massive opportunity and fight for me and my career," said Morrison. "I got into boxing at the age of 7, and these are the type of fights I’ve always wanted to be involved in. Chris is a very good fighter, and I know what he brings to the table. I honestly believe the best version of me is still to be seen, and I look forward to showing it on the night. I can’t afford to not leave everything in there on May 1."

"This is one of the strongest shows we’ve promoted and there is still even more to come," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "Chisora vs. Parker is a brilliant style match up that has been brewing for years and Taylor vs. Jonas is one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing. The Eubanks are always box office and it’s a massive chance for Marcus Morrison after his brilliant win in Italy. Craig Richards goes for World Title glory against the brilliant Russian Dmitry Bivol and there are further announcements to follow. Buckle up and enjoy this one!"

“WAR Chisora realizes this is a massive opportunity to gate-crash the Heavyweight division,” said David Haye of Hayemaker Promotions. “He has come close, in his last battle against unified Cruiserweight World Champion and No.1 ranked Heavyweight Usyk, two of the judges’ score cards had it 7 rounds to 5 - winning just one more round would have captured a draw and Derek would have retained his WBO International Title that night. Since, he has been working, living the life of a professional. Derek doesn’t simply want to beat Joseph Parker, he wants to make a statement to the world. This is his time.”

“There’s definitely unfinished business between Parker and Chisora,” said David Higgins, Founder and Director of DUCO Events. “I think the fight will be a real fan pleaser. It could be the Heavyweight Fight of the Year. You’ve got Chisora who likes to stand and trade and come forward, and then you’ve got Parker who has the speed and the pedigree. This fight has got a bit of history and it has been building for a while. It’s fantastic that it’s finally happening. This is a proper 50-50 matchup where the winner could go on to a World Title shot and the loser will go to the scrapheap. Credit to both Parker and Chisora for putting it all on the line.”

[bobcatbox]

This one will be alright. Rooting for Chisora. I’d like to see him squeak out one more quality win.