Derek Chisora believes former WBO Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker will run when the two fight at the AO Arena in Manchester this Saturday. Former world title challenger Chisora believes he puts ‘the fear of God’ into the New Zealander.
The fan favourite, who pushed Oleksandr Usyk all the way last October, has been waiting a long time to take on Parker after a bout between the pair in 2019 fell through after the latter was suffering the after-effects of a spider bite. Chisora doubts that reasoning and labelled Parker a ‘chicken’ and says the two have unfinished business.
“I think he pulled out because he had problems for himself in America, and in New Zealand and Australia, so that’s why he pulled out," said Chisora. "I don’t blame him. Things happen, people pull out of fights. But you have to have a good excuse.
“Him saying he had a spider bite was shambles of an excuse to be honest with you. But it happens, what can I say? I’m going to punch him up. I’m expecting Joseph to run away. That is 100%. I know for a fact he’s going to run away.
“Great for him he’s looking to become a World Champion, but it doesn’t mean nothing to me. I’m just going to pound on him when I see him.
“What can I do better than Joseph Parker? That’s a good question. Everything. The fight is going to be a great fight, we’re going to push on it, train hard and go crazy about it. You know the routine man – WAR. Expect what I always deliver. Beat the guy and pound on the guy. Destroy that guy. Confidence. I put the fear of god him in. I am bringing pain and war.”
Chisora, who will turn 38 in December, is keen to fight as much as possible in the evergreen of his career and loves being a ‘headache’ for opponents.
“Time is the most important thing, you know, and I don’t have much time in boxing, so anytime I go I’ll just take any fights I want to have because time is running out. Most people don’t want to fight me because I’m a headache. I bring it. I love fighting. I want the people at home to pay their money to watch me do what I need to do. I’m taking this fight because I want to win it.
"The way I look at it in boxing is, if you can bring numbers to the gate, bums on seats, you’re in a great position. If you don’t, you’re not. So, when people say you're in great position for fighting for Titles and stuff like that, I don’t believe so. I just look at it like, I’ve got a fight here and this is how many people are going to be watching my fight and I’m excited about that. You know, being mandatory and in eliminators, it’s a headache bro. I’m happy, I’m happy to fight. I’m happy to bring entertainment to people’s houses through television and stuff like that so I’m just excited and ready to go."
Chisora versus Parker tops a big night of action with Irish star Katie Taylor defending her Undisputed Lightweight crown against Natasha Jonas.
