Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker 28-2 (21) will collide with perennial contender Dereck Chisora 32-10 (23) in the UK on May 1.
New Zealander Parker, 29, is coming off a 12-round points win over previously undefeated compatriot Junior Fa 19-1 (10) in a scrappy affair in Auckland last month. Days after the victory, Parker announced he was splitting from his longtime trainer Kevin Barry and would now be coached by Andy Lee.
Parker was supposed to face Chisora in October 2019 before complications from a spider bite forced the Kiwi out of the fight.
Travelling to the UK isn’t anything new for Parker. He defeated Hughie Fury in Manchester on points in 2017 before dropping back-to-back decisions to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in Cardiff and London respectively the following year.
“I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career with a new coach and some fresh ideas. I’ve settled in and Andy and I are bonding well,” Parker said.
“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 worldwide 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.”
Chisora said: “We’ve been here before. In 2019 I flew to Vegas to film the ‘Face To Face’ with Parker. I called [manager David] 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.
“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!”
The big Matchroom Boxing card will also feature two world title fights with WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol 17-0 (11) defending against Craig ‘Spider’ Richards 16-1-1 (9) and undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor 17-0 (6) putting her four belts on the line against southpaw Natasha Jonas 9-1-1 (7).
“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, who is ranked number eight by the WBA. “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.”
In other action Chris Eubank Jr 29-2 (22) returns for his first fight in almost 18 months when he locks horns with Marcus Morrison 23-3 (16) over 10 frames.
“This is a good fight for me,” said Eubank Jr. “Since signing with Sauerland [Promotions] my camp has been firing on all cylinders. I’ve been training with Roy in Miami and focussing 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 focussing 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 seven 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.”
