Parker vs Chisora tactical breakdown: The key talking points

12/17/2021

A significantly heavier Joseph Parker must now deliver on his vow to sit down on his punches, while natural entertainer Derek Chisora will likely benefit from the return of the fans… where Parker vs Chisora 2 will be won and lost

Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora face off in an enticing rematch on Saturday
It was Parker who claimed a controversial split decision win back in May
That’s despite being dropped to the canvas just seven seconds into the fight
Both fighters have promised changes have been made ahead of the rematch
Sportsmail takes you through the talking points as the pair prepare to go to war
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Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora return to the Manchester Arena on Saturday to pick up where they left off in May, going head-to-head once more, this time in an all-or-nothing rematch.

Parker claimed a controversial split decision victory seven months ago, having come on strong towards the backend of the fight after suffering a shock knockdown just seven seconds into the opening round.

Chisora was left enraged by the decision but insisted he would not be deterred, make it clear he wanted to go again, and soon.

Parker and his coach Andy Lee – who at Thursday’s press conference admitted he initially thought ‘Del Boy’ won the fight, though changing his mind after watching it back – both agreed an immediate rematch was the way to go, despite not being contractually obliged to do so.

The New Zealander is ranked second by the WBO, third by the IBF and fourth by the WBC heading into the rematch, and another win would propel him further towards world level. Parker has already spoken of a possible rematch with Anthony Joshua down the line.

As for Chisora, another defeat would be his third on the bounce. And at 37, the Brit has admitted losing is not an option.

Below, Sportsmail analyses the key talking points ahead of a pivotal clash for both heavyweights.

Joseph Parker (R) claimed a controversial split decision win over Derek Chisora (L) in May

Both fighters and their teams will have studied the first bout in depth, analysing the required tactical tweaks as they formulated a game plan heading into the rematch.

But perhaps as much as anything, the return of a jam-packed crowd inside the Manchester Arena will make a massive difference.

For obvious reasons, the pair last squared off behind closed doors, which wouldn’t have suited either fighter, though you could argue it perhaps impacted Chisora more.

Chisora is a born performer. Just look at some of his antics down the years: he’s covered himself in ‘WAR’ paint while sporting a rather sinister Joker-smile ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk, brawled with David Haye in his post-fight presser after defeat to Vitali Klitschko and thrown a table at Dillian Whyte in their 2016 pre-fight press conference.

He was even up to his usual tricks on Thursday’s presser as he covered his mouth with an ‘Eddie (Hearn) pay me to talk’ sticker and refused to speak throughout, instead blasting out Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody over a speaker. The guy loves to entertain.

The pair fought at a behind-closed-doors Manchester Arena in their first bout earlier this year

Chisora turned up to the weigh-in ahead of his Oleksandr Usyk bout (left) in ‘WAR’ paint

Going from a crowd of 20,000 at the O2 against Whyte to a behind-closed-doors Manchester Arena is quite the adjustment. Coach Dave Coldwell certainly thinks the return of the fans will make a big impact.

‘People have underestimated what a difference having a crowd makes to these guys,’ he said at Thursday’s presser. ‘Derek loves the crowds singing his name and getting behind him.

‘Certain fighters it doesn’t affect, your cool calculated boxing skillsters who’ll think their way through everything. Fighters like Derek and Joseph, they get that vibe, and it adds an extra few per cent.’

Though not speaking throughout, Chisora did talk to reporters afterwards, stating: ‘It’s a bit nerve-wracking as well at the same time, because two years, I haven’t fought in front of anybody, and then suddenly I’ve got 12,000. It’s nerve-wracking.’

It’s not only Chisora who could benefit from the fans’ return, however. You might remember Parker taking on Joshua in front of 70,000 at the Principality Stadium in 2018, admittedly not his finest night.

Parker, who was vocal throughout the press conference, insisted it will make an impact.

‘Not having a crowd made a big difference,’ he said. ‘I think Derek feeds off the crowd, I feed off of them too. A lot of fighters feed off the crowd and just having no noise and hearing specific voices it’s pretty weird.’

He then remained silent throughout Thursday’s press conference with tape over his mouth

Parker weighs in heavy; Chisora comes in light

Showing he means business, a bullish Parker weighed in a staggering 10lbs heavier than in their first bout as he took to the scales on Friday afternoon.

The Kiwi had weighed 9lbs less than his opponent in their first fight but overturned the deficit as he clocked in at 251lbs, while Chisora came in at 248.5lbs.

Parker was bullied at times throughout the first fight, particularly in the first six rounds, but he and his trainer have both promised a more positive approach this time.

Whether it will prove the correct approach remains to be seen. There’s an argument to suggest it will only play into Chisora’s game plan, given he struggled when Parker utilised his better foot and hand speed in the second half of the fight.

Parker weighed in 10lbs heavier than the first bout at 251lbs, while Chisora was at 248.5lbs

There was also concern when a certain Tyson Fury packed on the pounds in his second and third fights with Deontay Wilder, though, and look how they went.

Meanwhile, Chisora’s weight of 248.6lbs is his lightest since falling to a stoppage defeat to Dillian Whyte in 2018.

Though a minimal change, Chisora was evidently tiring from the middle rounds on in May, and this is perhaps a smart move from the 37-year-old.

Parker feeling more confident this time

A key factor for Parker heading into the rematch is that he’s feeling significantly more confident this time, having had a full camp working with new trainer Andy Lee.

Parker had just a matter of weeks with his new coach prior to the first bout, having left former mentor Kevin Barry for Lee on the recommendation of friend and training partner Tyson Fury.

He has revealed it was one of the most difficult decisions he’s made in his life, though admitting it was one that had to be done.

Parker opted to train with Andy Lee (centre) on the recommendation of Tyson Fury (right)

‘There was uncertainty,’ Parker told Sportsmail of the first fight. ‘I had a quick turnaround from the fight in New Zealand (against Junior Fa) and I think it was five or six weeks with Andy.

‘I was on a few phone calls with Andy, then all of a sudden I’m on a flight to Ireland to meet him for the first time and see if we click. (I had to) get over the jetlag, work on a new style with a new coach in a new country… the uncertainty comes from there.’

He continued: ‘There were a lot of questions in the last camp where, now going into this camp, I’m putting my full trust in Andy. I know that what we’re doing is going to get me the best prepared Joseph Parker possible.’

It’s a sentiment that both the heavyweight and his coach echoed in Thursday’s presser. While Parker insisted he’s looking for a knockout between round six and 10, Lee assured a more positive boxer will be on show this time.

Lee said: ‘We won’t be negative, Joe’s going to be a lot more positive. He’ll stand a lot more, fight a lot more and be more consistent with his attack. It should make for an excellent fight.’

No more ‘Mr Nice Guy’ Parker

With that increased confidence, Parker has promised he will sit down on his punches in the rematch, something he admits has not quite happened as of late.

Tale of the tape: Parker v Chisora II

Joseph Parker

Age: 29

Height: 6ft 4ins

Reach: 76ins

Weight: 251lbs

Record: 29-2-0

Knockouts: 21

Derek Chisora

Age: 37

Height: 6ft 1.5ns

Reach: 74ins

Weight: 248.5lbs

Record: 32-11-0

Knockouts: 23

Looking at Parker’s record, you can see he can certainly punch. 21 knockouts from 29 wins isn’t bad. It’s not devastating, like a Deontay Wilder, but it’s not bad.

What’s notable, however, is that his knockouts have come against lesser opposition. His wins over Carlos Takam, Hughie Fury, Andy Ruiz Jr and Chisora were all via a decision, as were his losses to Joshua and Whyte.

Parker has admitted that his performances have been below-par of late, but assures he will throw with more intention on Saturday.

‘I know exactly what I’ve got to do and what Andy’s teaching. I’m going to be fit, ready and I’m going to put on a great fight,’ he said. ‘I’m just so excited because this is the first rematch of my career. The first fight was close, but after watching it back I know I won it. This time I want to make it a lot more decisive.

‘I’ve just got to sit on my shots and have the confidence to back my power. Every heavyweight – every fighter – has power, you’ve just got to back it. I’ve got to sit down on my punches and make them count. Enough of this pit-a-pat, now I’m going to go bang!’

Parker must avoid another slow start

This is crucial for Parker. If the fight was scored from round seven on, there’s no question Parker would have come out on top. Conversely, there’s no doubt who got the better of the first six.

Parker was knocked to the canvas just seven seconds into the fight, after Chisora landed with a clubbing overhand right.

He was left momentarily on hands and knees after the disastrous start, though recovering quickly, with the punch landed not the flushest you’ll ever see.

But Chisora made it increasingly unpleasant for the away fighter, bullying his opponent with his energy-sapping and unrelenting pressure. He landed another hook that slumped Parker onto the ropes in the third, while the Brit connected with some eye-catching body shots in the fourth.

Parker came into his own in the second half of the fight as Chisora became increasingly weary

Parker showed resilience in abundance as he weathered the storm and came on strong later on, with two judges eventually scoring the bout 115-113 and 116-111 in his favour, while the other had it 115-113 to Chisora.

But nevertheless, Parker can’t afford to give a Chisora – who will likely be fitter and sharper – the same kind of momentum once again.

Instead, he needs to look at what brought him success in the second half of the fight: doubling up his jab, throwing combinations and actually displaying the better hand speed we all knew he had.

Parker started to land more eye-catching shots as the fight went on, while staying more out of range and countering well. If he can start the fight in this manner, a wide points win – or perhaps a late stoppage – could be on the cards.

Derek Chisora promises changes under Dave Coldwell

Now onto Chisora, who has made changes of his own going into the rematch.

Del Boy recognised adjustments were required in the immediate aftermath of his defeat in May, opting to reunite with former trainer Coldwell, who was in his corner for his second-round stoppage win over Artur Szpikla in 2019.

The pair initially went their separate ways due to logistical issues, but the usually London-based Chisora agreed to spend every Monday to Thursday training in Rotherham in recent weeks and months to once again work with the widely-renowned coach.

Though now in the twilight years of his career, Chisora insists only a fool wouldn’t want to learn new things each and every day, revealing he has been asking Coldwell questions ‘like a five-year-old’ in preparing for the fight.

Coldwell has been blown away by Chisora’s improvements, while the heavyweight insists he’s looking for an early knockout.

Chisora is once again working with trainer Dave Coldwell (right) ahead of the Parker fight

‘I’m so keen, I want to fight,’ he said. ‘The last fight was good, but this one is going to be much better.

‘It’s not revenge, I just want to fight and it’s going to be a good fight. I’m going to knock him out in (round) one. I’m coming in fitter and stronger.’

As the old adage goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and whether Chisora can implement any real changes remains to be seen.

Yet, Coldwell insists his fighter has been performing incredibly well throughout training camp and assures Chisora has learned from his mistakes last time out.

‘Right now he’s performing really, really well,’ he said. ‘I’m happy with the work he’s done in the gym, I’m happy with his commitment, his sparring sessions have been great. He’s in a really good place. You’ll see on Saturday.’

He added: ‘When you you’ve got intelligent fighters involved, they learn from the first fight, and Derek knows the shots that Joseph landed in the first fight… he can’t afford for those shots to land in the second, because I expect them to be delivered with better technique.

‘With better technique, they will hit harder and I’m expecting that. But there’s mistakes Derek made in the first fight offensively that he won’t make in this one.’

Chisora reveals he’s been asking questions ‘like a five-year-old’ ahead of the fight

Chisora fighting for his career

Chisora has admitted losing the rematch simply isn’t an option, having fallen to his second defeat on the bounce in May.

The veteran had previously lost out on points to now unified champion Usyk, and though against top level opposition, it’s difficult to see where Chisora would go next should he fall to a third-straight loss.

At any level, three defeats on the spin make a fighter difficult to market. Granted, Chisora has lost three times in a row in the past, falling short against Robert Helenius, Vitali Klitschko and David Haye – but that was nearly 10 years ago.

It’s different now, and there will certainly be questions of a possible retirement should he fall to another defeat.

But this is what makes Chisora so dangerous. As we’ve seen numerous times throughout his career, Del Boy can fluctuate enormously between fights.

Eddie Hearn (left) admits a defeat, his third in a row, will leave Chisora short of options

If his heart isn’t there, neither is the performance. But if it is, then he can be a handful for anyone. Just look at the pair of blockbuster performances against Whyte, though falling short in each, while he also gave Usyk a much sterner night than Joshua managed to.

Promoter Hearn also thinks think could be last chance saloon for Chisora.

‘Although he will tell you he expects to fight for many years to come, he really must beat Parker to remain in these top-tier fights,’ he wrote in his BBC column.

‘I love Del Boy, you just never know what you are going to get,’ he continued. ‘He has a good heart and he genuinely wants to go in there and give fans value for money, which he has done so many times over the years.

‘It was at this arena where five years ago he gave us one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time against Dillian Whyte. He has promised me, and the fans, he will give us another fire cracker on Saturday.’

The question is, how long can he keep partaking in these gruelling fights? Fury recently referenced the long-term damage his trilogy with Wilder will cause, and it’s no different for Chisora.

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