JOSEPH PARKER sneaked a split-decision victory against Derek Chisora to keep his dreams of winning back a world title alive.
The judges scored it 115-113, 111-116, 115-113 to Parker to leave Chisora devastated.
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.”
Devastated Chisora said afterwards: “I am beyond getting upset now. I train hard, I fight, I bring everything, and this is the treatment I get from boxing.
“I think they don’t like me, I can’t get upset because it is horrible. When I put the work in, this is the results I get.
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.”
Chisora got off to a scintillating start when he floored Parker with his first big punch of the night.
The New Zealander claimed it was a slip, but the ref thought otherwise and administered the count.
More to follow…
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk