Careers on the line as Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora meet again

Particulars: Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Manchester arena, England, it’s Joseph Parker vs. Derek ‘War’ Chisora, Heavyweights. (DAZN).

Backstory: Both fighters are veterans, particularly Chisora.

We’ve seen them in action, know what they can and can’t do, and should expect no surprises in this return bout - including expecting bad judging if we get a distance fight.

Chisora is right to think there are forces in British boxing who have it in for him beyond the usual crap.

But – he brought some of this on himself with his bad-boy antics, slapping one Klitschko, spitting on another – and then getting annihilated by the one he slapped. The list goes on.

Chisora has said he pulled those antics (“boorish behavior” in British English) because it helped sell the fights. If so, it backfired. He’s been screwed on scorecards several times.

Few fans have pleaded to see this fight. We fans would love to see Chisora or Parker fight, Joe Joyce, Andy Ruiz, Jr., Adam Kownacki, or his Finnish conqueror Robert Helenius. There’s a list of current and emerging heavyweights who would be more exciting and appropriate opponents.

Parker is a talented human, great musician, humane (trying seriously hard to rally folks down in the dumps about Covid – impressive), and a thoroughly trained professional fighter.

And a boring one, generally.

Parker was good enough to go the distance with Joshua, but after 5-6 rounds, he was merely there to compete, not win. No 6th gear. Parker in car-speak is a five-speed automatic in a 6-speed world.

Chisora, the poor wretch, is a powerful puncher, often makes for thrilling fights, and is willing to sell out (except when he quit against Fury, ouch). Intelligent, he’s gone from being an A-hole to a nice guy, one who loves the verbals with his UK fans. It took him years – but we’ll take it.

Fighters Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Derek Chisora: B- (2.7)

Joseph Parker: B (3.0)

Reality Check: This fight, as stated, is not on anyone’s wish list except maybe the Parker and Chisora households. Heavyweights (and lightweights - talk about four chickens) desperately need Grinch Don King to return, dressed as a freakish Santa bearing a Heavyweight elimination tourney. There are so many good heavies from all over the world. And we get this?

Parker’s success in the past has come from throwing roundhouse lefts and rights- hooks from both sides, which is the mark of a very limited fighter. However, against Joshua, 90% of his blows were straight – including one beautiful jab, jolting right-hand combo. Parker and his team worked tirelessly in camp on not extending his head beyond a certain line against Joshua. Overnight, Parker became a capable judge of distance but gave himself no chance of winning – or getting knocked out.

Chisora is far more the natural fighter. He is a powerful puncher, capable of three’s but certainly not extended combinations – which anyway, are falling out of favor in a landscape filled with giants like Fury and Wilder. Chisora throws both straight and overhand rights. His overhand right is powerful but is telegraphed and leaves him exposed. David Haye saw it coming all night and knocked Chisora cold. Against Parker, Chisora can risk it.

Parker’s MO is making a living “competing at the highest level.” At no time did he sell out against Joshua to try and win the lottery.

Chisora is on the downside but has far more dog in him. I have no idea what he has left.

The Chisora story has been in play for a good ten years. At 29, Parker can continue to compete at the highest level for several more years. I’d love to see him in against Wilder, for example.

If on fight night at age 37, Chisora arrives in perfect condition, we might see 5-6 rounds of excellent action. As there are forces out to get him, it is hard to see him winning a clear UD.

In all seriousness, the heavyweights desperately need an elimination tournament that would be profitable, thrill all fans, and make everyone happy.

Fight and Prediction: Joseph Parker split or MD decision 12, Derek Chisora.