DEREK CHISORA knocked down Joseph Parker within SEVEN seconds…but Parker recovered to win via split decision.
A gruelling heavyweight main event went down to the wire, with New Zealander Parker prevailing 113-115, 116-111, 115-113 in the end.
But Del Boy declared himself furious with the judges’ decision, saying: “I train hard every day, I give everything in the gym, and when I put it all in there, these are the results I get.”
And Parker’s coach Andy Lee said: “After the fight, Joseph Parker came back and said, ‘I’m not sure I’m going to get this.'”
On the undercard, Katie Taylor defeated Natasha Jonas in a thriller, and Chris Eubank Jr returned to action in triumphant fashion.
Follow all of the latest reaction from the fight below…
PARKER’S UPDATED CV
After last night’s victory, Joseph Parker’s professional record reads 29-2.
The 29-year-old defeated the likes of Carlos Takam, Andy Ruiz Jr and Hughie Fury to become WBO heavyweight champion in 2016.
He lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018 before Dillian Whyte defeated him four months later.
Since suffering back-to-back losses, Parker has won five consecutive fights and is closing in on a second shot at a world title.
CHISORA NET WORTH
Boxing is big business and Del Boy has certainly earned his money over the past few years.
He told the Telegraph: “The pay cheques grow very fast.
“So from £5,000 to £20,000, then £80,000 to £100,000 and then £200,000, then £500,000 then £900,000 then £1.5m.
“It keeps going up but sometimes there can be a title fight and there will be no money involved.
“I know guys that are fighting to defend their titles and they’re getting paid about £50,000.
“But you can make more money in the heavyweight game than you ever make in any other sport.”
His biggest fight purse so far in his career was against Usyk, where Del Boy pocketed a cool £4.4million.
As of late 2020, Chisora’s net worth is estimated to be £6.2m.
CHISORA NOT RETIRING
A reminder that Del Boy has ruled out retiring after the last night’s defeat to Joseph Parker.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Chisora said: “I was putting in more power punches, inside work, but I can’t get upset anymore.
“But you know what, I won’t let them slow me down. No way. I will not let them slow me down. I will go again.
“They want to see me retire, but I’m not retiring yet, forget that.”
GO AGAIN
Both Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker have said they are keen on a rematch, potentially on the Joshua vs Fury undercard.
Chisora said: “But Joe said he wants to give me a rematch. If he wants to give me a rematch, I’ll take the rematch easy, but this is unbelievable.
“I won the fight, even his coach Andy Lee said I won the fight.”
And Andy Lee added: “We will give you a rematch. We’ll have to do a rematch straight away.”
SIMPLY THE BEST
Chisora’s professional boxing record is now 32-11 after his defeat to Parker.
Although he’s lost around a quarter of his fights, the 37-year-old still has an impressive CV.
He’s now fought Parker, Tyson Fury twice, Dillian Whyte twice, David Haye, Kubrat Pulev, Carlos Takam, David Price, Oleksandr Usyk and Vitali Klitschko – among many more.
Del Boy will be remembered as a box-office star.
ANOTHER CLIP
Here’s another video of the crowd brawl during the Ruiz/Arreola bout.
Keep an eye out for the shirtless man, who appears out of nowhere with his top off.
Incredible scenes in California…
THE REAL FIGHT
Across the pond, Ruiz v Arreola wasn’t the main event in California.
Right in the middle of the heavyweight bout, a HUGE brawl broke out in the audience.
Despite the shameful scenes, ex-world champ Ruiz didn’t lose his focus and went on to secure the win.
Here’s the video…
OSCAR WORTHY
Elsewhere in boxing, Oscar De La Hoya is planning a comeback.
His opponent will be ‘worldwide news’ and ‘one of the biggest fights’ this year, Triller say.
The boxing legend is set to return on July 3, which comes 12 years after Manny Pacquiao sent him into retirement.
Social media app Triller, who have had Jake Paul and Mike Tyson headline on their platform, welcome De La Hoya back to the ring.
And the brains behind the operation, film producer Ryan Kavanaugh, has teased the magnitude of the fight, believed to be against an MMA superstar.
Kavanaugh told SunSport: “We are almost done, but if we get this person it will be worldwide news.
“I’d argue it would be one of the biggest fights in the world this year.”
HOUSE OF CARDS
There was uproar at some of the scorecards on both sides of the Atlantic following wins for Andy Ruiz Jr and Joseph Parker.
Ruiz Jr was the victor over Chris Arreola via unanimous decision but fans were shocked by the 118-109 margin of victory on two judges’ scorecards.
Meanwhile New Zealand’s Parker beat Derek Chisora via split decision and even HIS coach Andy Lee wasn’t sure he’d won the bout.
The razor thin margin of victory was reflected in two of the scorecards, with one judge scoring it 115-113 to Chisora and the other 115-113 to Parker.
But a bizarre 116-111 scorecard ensured the former world champ emerged victorious.
DOUBLE CHIS BURGER
Nothing but respect between the two as Chisora brings the customary burgers to Parker and coach Andy Lee in the Kiwi’s dressing room.
KIWI FLIES
Joseph Parker climbed off the canvas after a first round knock down to beat Derek Chisora by a split decision.
DEL NOT DONE
He may have come up short again last night, but defiant Derek Chisora says he has no plans to retire just yet.
The 37-year-old said: “If he wants to give me a rematch, I will take the rematch.
“I won the fight. I won’t let them slow me down, I will go again, I am very upset but I won’t let them win.
“They want to see me retire, but I’m not retiring yet.”
RUIZ WINS
Andy Ruiz Jr’s has been victorious on his comeback, but the fight against fellow Mexican-American Chris Arreola was not all to plan.
Ruiz was dropped in the second round before outboxing his rival to pick up a wide points win.
RUIZ VS ARREOLA
Andy Ruiz vs Chris Arreola is underway over in Los Angeles
Follow the round-by-round latest updates HERE
NOT ALL-WHYTE
Dillian Whyte’s reaction to those scorecards…
‘HE BROUGHT THE SMOKE’
Speaking after his narrow win, Parker said: “It was a tough fight, I got caught right at the beginning, I had to dig deep and stay focussed.
“Derek is a very tough fighter and he threw bombs. I think boxing skills in the rounds was the difference.
“It was a very close fight, I thought it could go either way.
“He brought the smoke.”
SPLIT DECISION
Chisora was fuming at the judges’ scoring on his big night.
DOUBLE CHIS BURGER
Nothing but respect between the two as Chisora brings the customary burgers to Parker and coach Andy Lee in the Kiwi’s dressing room.
NOT SO AVERAGE JOE
Parker edged the decision – but it really could have gone either way
DEVASTATED DEL
“It’s difficult because I train hard, I fight, I bring everything and this is the treatment I get from boxing.
“My last fight same thing again, this fight same thing again, I think they don’t like me.”
Chisora so upset after the bout.
RUIZ VS ARREOLA
But the heavyweight action hasn’t stopped tonight, far from it!
Follow every blow from Andy Ruiz vs Chris Arreola in Los Angeles HERE!
All eyes on what Anthony Joshua’s conqueror will do.
REMATCH ON FURY VS AJ CARD?
The fighters have just shook on it!
PARKER & CHISORA
Parker: “It was a tough fight. I got caught right at the beginning and I had to dig deep.
“Derik [Chisora] is a tough opponent, he came forward and pushed on me from the beginning and threw big bombs.”
Chisora: “It’s difficult because I train hard, I fight, I bring everything and this is the treatment I get from boxing.
“My last fight same thing again, this fight same thing again, I think they don’t like me.
“I can’t get upset because it’s horrible, I train hard everyday, I give everything in the gym.
“And when I put it all in there, this is the results I get.”
Chisora ends on: “I’m not retiring yet”.
CHISORA VS PARKER – PARKER WINS
Before we go to the judges score cards, I saw it as 8-4 in Parker’s favour despite the early Chisora knockdown.
The judges have scored it: 115,113 Chisora, 116,111 Parker, 115,113 Parker!
Joseph Parker wins on split decision and he’s the new WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight champion!
Tremendous fight. Both threw everything at it.
Chisora produced another 12 rounds, he’s showing no signs of hanging up the gloves just yet.
As for Parker, he’ll be looking to move onto a big fight – but who?
CHISORA VS PARKER – ROUND TWELVE
FINAL ROUND!
Chisora finds another burst of energy and he lands a good couple of right hands!
It’s going to be a grandstand finish!
But Parker follows back with a sharp left.
Parker is trying to finish the show and he lands a one-two forcing Chisora back onto the ropes.
Time runs out and it’s heading to the scorecards. WHAT A MAIN EVENT!
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk