Sport

Joseph Parker better prepared for Chisora rematch

09:18 am on 10 November 2021

Joseph Parker's trainer Andy Lee feels the New Zealand heavyweight will be in better shape when he takes on Derek Chisora in their rematch in Manchester next month.

Lee and Parker Photo: PHOTOSPORT

In the last bout between the two back in May, the pair went the whole 12 rounds, and in the end, Parker won on a split decision despite dropping to the canvas in the first round.

Lee, who had limited time to prepare Parker for the first fight, says they've come along way since then.

"Last time I'd had Joe for five weeks and it just wasn't long enough to affect any change, to embed any habits or instincts we'd been trying to work on.

"This time Joe has a great understanding of what we're trying to do and when we weren't in camp he's been working on it himself and its more about the mindset as much as it is anything technical.

"I've seen a change in Joseph since the last time and he's definitely focussed.

"Joseph sees the opportunity for himself and the way the heavyweight division is at the moment that when he gets past Chisora he's right there with any of them.

"He'd never fight Tyson Fury because they're as close as brothers, but anyone else in that division I'd be very comfortable putting Joe in with them."

Parker says he's excited for what will be his first ever rematch.

"I'm excited to see the improvements that I've been making in camp, I know we didn't have the longest camp last time, but we've had longer together this time so there are no excuses."

He has no doubts about what he'll be up against again.

"Derek is one tough guy, he comes forward and puts on the pressure.

"That's what he did and that's exactly what he's going to do again and I feel this fight is going to be different as I've had more time to work on things and my confidence is growing every single day seeing the improvements."

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Meanwhile Chisora is angry at the number of times he feels he has been "robbed" during his boxing career, including that first fight with Parker.

The 37 year old Briton is still sore about the split-decision that didn't go his way behind-closed-doors fight in Manchester in May.

"One hundred per cent I won that fight, I was more the pressure fighter, I was making it happen," said Chisora.

"I'm half excited and half not. I'm happy for the fight but might be disappointed what comes with the fight.

"I'm going to speak to my management company. We need an American referee and get good judges for this fight because so many times I've been robbed.

"It's one of those things but it gets a bit frustrating. Joseph Parker does not scare me. He doesn't have anything I'm scared of. He hasn't got power punches, I don't even know how they gave him the last fight."

Chisora has held the European, Commonwealth and British titles and fought Vitali Klitschko for the WBC world heavyweight title.

From 43 professional fights, Chisora has won 32 and lost 11, but eight of those defeats have been on points, including a narrow loss to Oleksandr Usyk, who has since beaten Anthony Joshua to become the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world champion.

Chisora floored Parker after only 10 seconds of their first bout, but the New Zealander recovered to get the verdict 115-113 on two cards, with one judge seeing the contest 116-111 in Chisora's favour.

Parker has had 31 professional bouts with 29 wins and 21 of those via a knockout.

-RNZ/BBC