Should Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas have been the headline act?
George Gigney looks back on the Sky Sports broadcast that gave Eubank Jnr and Hatton s non-title fights a higher billing than Bivol’s defence against Richards and made Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas a supporting act
THERE had been plenty of worthwhile discussion in the days and weeks leading up to Sky Sports’ Manchester card topped by Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker about whether it deserved to be pay-per-view. There’s little point revisiting that discussion here, but it is worth looking at the order of fights on the card. First, the main event. Yes, Chisora is a well-known and popular commodity in the UK and Parker is also a familiar face – plus they’re both heavyweights, which always helps – but this was an inferior matchup compared to Katie Taylor’s defence of her undisputed lightweight title against Natasha Jonas. Not only was there the history of their unforgettable meeting at the 2012 Olympics, but
Joseph Parker defeated Derek Chisora by a split decision before offering a rematch. Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing
Joseph Parker claimed the vacant WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight title with a gruelling split decision win over Derek Chisora at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Chisora was making yet another pay-per-view appearance, but was in last chance territory in his ambitions of operating at the elite level.
After a bizarre bust up after the weigh in, where Chisora threatened to walk away from the contest after losing a coin toss as to who would ring walk second, Derek’s mother stepped in to calm her son down, and he eventually saw sense and relented.
Parker wins split decision over Chisora following lively encounter while Taylor and Jonas produce a sizzling scrap
JOSEPH PARKER came to life in the second half of his 12-rounder with Derek Chisora inside the Manchester Arena to eke out a split decision victory. The 116-111 score for Parker was cruel on Chisora, who again gave everything. The two tallies of 115-113 for each fighter were more in keeping with the tight, tense and at times untidy bout.
Chisora made the fastest of starts, bowling over a right hand that dropped Parker – more off balance than hurt – inside the first eight seconds. The Auckland heavyweight was then tagged by a left hook midway through the opener as the veteran went for the early finish. But Parker, the pre-fight favourite, eased into proceedings with a minute of the round to go as he bounced on his feet and let his hands go for the first time. It seemed to take Chisora by surprise.
Joseph Parker overcomes first-round knockdown to beat Derek Chisora via split decision
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Joseph Parker overcame an early scare to earn a split decision win over Derek Chisora on Saturday, which keeps him in the hunt for a world heavyweight title shot in 2022.
After a disappointing display earlier this year, Parker recovered from a first-round knockdown for scores of 116-111 and 115-113 to 115-113 at England s Manchester Arena.
Parker went into the fight ranked No. 3 within the WBO world governing body, and No. 6 with the WBC and IBF. With the win, the New Zealander stays among the chasing pack jostling for a shot at one of the four major titles, currently held by English rivals Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
2021/05/02 07:22 MANCHESTER, England (AP) Former world champion Joseph Parker took another step to becoming a heavyweight title contender after beating Derek Chisora by split decision in Manchester Arena on Saturday. Parker overcame being knocked down by a right swing just seconds into the non-title bout. The New Zealander, who lost his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in 2018, gradually came back in a toe-to-toe fight that he tipped thanks to his late pressure, cleaner punches, and workrate. Two judges gave Parker 116-111 and 115-113 scores, and one gave Chisora 115-113. Parker s fifth successive win since he lost to Joshua and Dillian Whyte improved his record to 29-2.