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Manchester Arena, Manchester - In a crossroads heavyweight clash, former WBO champion Joseph Parker (29-2, 21 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over Derek Chisora (32-11, 23 KOs).
The scores were 115-113 for Chisora, 116-111 for Parker and 115-113 for Parker.
In the first few seconds of the first, Chisora scored a flash knockdown as Parker’s foot was not under him. Chisora went right after Parker, who was holding often. Near the end of the round, Parker was starting to put his punches together and scoring points.
In the second and third, Chisora was outworking Parker and landing the more telling punches. Parker was doing a lot of holding and trying to get his jab going to stop the incoming British brawler. In the fourth, Chisora continued to attack the body and Parker was looking to catch him coming in.
A grueling fifth, with Chisora still coming and Parker boxing off the back foot and landing counters. The sixth was really close, with both having moments of success. The action slowed up in the seventh, with Parker jabbing and landing as Chisora was coming in. Parker began to get more active. In the eight, Chisora went right back to the body. Parker was landing better to the head and jabbing. Parker landed some heavy punches in the closing seconds as they were trading shots.
The ninth and tenth saw Parker have the edge with Chisora tiring and not throwing as many punches. During the eleventh, Parker was lading solid punches and staying at a safe distance as Chisora was tired and not throwing many punches.
In the twelfth and final round, two big hooks by Chisora at the start. Parker then stunned Chisora with a few punches and then Chisora went after Parker with body shots. It was a tight round, with Chisora having the edge with the work.
MORE DETAILS TO COME……………