Boxing
Joseph Parker says Dereck Chisora needs to 'accept' that their fight is the co-main event
At the press conference Monday to formally announce the Oct. 26 junior welterweight title unification fight and the final of the World Boxing Super Series at the O2 Arena in London (live on DAZN) between WBA champion Regis Prograis and IBF titlist Josh Taylor, it wasn't the headliners who grabbed the headlines.
That distinction belonged to heavyweight Dereck Chisora (31-9, 22 KOs), who battles former WBO titleholder Joseph Parker in the co-main event. When Chisora got told by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn that he wouldn't be in the main event, the Englishman went on a tirade because he wasn't top billing in his native country.
"Give me the main event or pull me out of the f—ing show," Chisora said.
Moments later, Chisora demanded more money to stay on the card and proceeded to exit the dais. Parker (26-2, 20 KOs) didn't attend the presser because he's training for the fight in Las Vegas. He wasn't too surprised by Chisora actions.
"Dereck is Dereck, he can be calm or crazy," Parker told BBC Sport. "I thought as of late he was a lot calmer as a person and fighter, but then again, the switch is there."
After suffering the first two losses of his career to former unified champion Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, Parker has rebounded with back-to-back wins. He understands why the decision was made to have Prograis-Taylor in the top slot of the show instead of him and Chisora.
"I think there is a time and place. Of course, him and I can be a main event if we were on another card. He brings a lot of support and fans. I have been fortunate in gathering a lot of fans from the UK, too. But you can't really take away from the guys at main event. Those two guys are undefeated and fighting to unify belts, and it's not our job to tell the promoter what to do. We have a say but ultimately accept where you are."
