02-18-2019, 04:22 PM
David Higgins puts tight deadline on Joseph Parker v Dereck Chisora deal
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
Promoter David Higgins wants to ensure trainer Kevin Barry and heavyweight star Joseph Parker have enough time to prepare for a proposed fight with rugged Brit Dereck Chisora.
Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins warns they will "pull the pin" on April's proposed London fight with Dereck Chisora if a contract doesn't materialise very quickly.
Higgins told Stuff on Monday that he wanted action "within the next 24 hours or so" to ensure Parker had the necessary training buildup for a heavyweight fight that could headline a night of action at the O2 Arena on April 20.
Parker, wary of being caught short like he was with a limited training camp for his last fight in London against Dillian Whyte, wants a minimum of nine weeks of preparation – seven weeks in Las Vegas with trainer Kevin Barry and another two weeks to taper off in the British capital where he remains a marketable fighter. That sort of timeframe demands an immediate response.
Dereck Chisora has the size, power and skills to make a difficult night for Joseph Parker.
"Joseph doesn't want another short camp and if time drags a little further then we will pull the pin on that date," Higgins told Stuff.
"Joseph will fight anyone but if Chisora and his team of David Haye and Eddie Hearn want that fight to happen, I need a contract in my inbox within the next 24 hours or so … we are nearing deadline."
Higgins said his good relationship with British promoter Hearn meant the deal could be done without complications.
"Eddie Hearn knows he can make a deal with me very quickly because we made the Dillian Whyte deal at lightning speed," Higgins said.
"There is no problem for Eddie to make a deal but there is some problem at their end because they are not forthcoming with the contract. I don't know whether it's Chisora wanting too much money or maybe Sky TV UK want more on the card to justify pay-per-view? Who knows what's going on but right now it's radio silence from their end."
Higgins said Chisora was too risky to be taken on at late notice, especially with former WBO champion Parker in a rebuild to get back in the title mix after losing consecutive fights to Anthony Joshua and Whyte in the UK last year.
Parker has since beaten unheralded Mexican American Alexander Flores with a vicious knockout win in Christchurch last December but needs a statement performance against a better opponent to really push his cause. Chisora presents that opportunity - if the terms are right.
"The Whyte camp was short, we aren't going to repeat that. Chisora is a dangerous fighter. He has got a new trainer, he swarms with a lot of punches, he has knocked out Carlos Takam …. he's not to be trifled with. Chisora is a serious unit and it's high risk and return," Higgins said.
"If you win it, you are breathing down Anthony Joshua's neck and back to the top; if you lose it, then you are really struggling."
Chisora is already working with his new trainer Dave Coldwell, the former mentor of retired British boxer Tony Bellew and is motivated to get his own career back on track after being knocked out by Whyte last December.
He has signalled he wants to fight Parker. Now it's up to his handlers to ensure that happens as quickly as possible.
Stuff
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
Promoter David Higgins wants to ensure trainer Kevin Barry and heavyweight star Joseph Parker have enough time to prepare for a proposed fight with rugged Brit Dereck Chisora.
Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins warns they will "pull the pin" on April's proposed London fight with Dereck Chisora if a contract doesn't materialise very quickly.
Higgins told Stuff on Monday that he wanted action "within the next 24 hours or so" to ensure Parker had the necessary training buildup for a heavyweight fight that could headline a night of action at the O2 Arena on April 20.
Parker, wary of being caught short like he was with a limited training camp for his last fight in London against Dillian Whyte, wants a minimum of nine weeks of preparation – seven weeks in Las Vegas with trainer Kevin Barry and another two weeks to taper off in the British capital where he remains a marketable fighter. That sort of timeframe demands an immediate response.
Dereck Chisora has the size, power and skills to make a difficult night for Joseph Parker.
"Joseph doesn't want another short camp and if time drags a little further then we will pull the pin on that date," Higgins told Stuff.
"Joseph will fight anyone but if Chisora and his team of David Haye and Eddie Hearn want that fight to happen, I need a contract in my inbox within the next 24 hours or so … we are nearing deadline."
Higgins said his good relationship with British promoter Hearn meant the deal could be done without complications.
"Eddie Hearn knows he can make a deal with me very quickly because we made the Dillian Whyte deal at lightning speed," Higgins said.
"There is no problem for Eddie to make a deal but there is some problem at their end because they are not forthcoming with the contract. I don't know whether it's Chisora wanting too much money or maybe Sky TV UK want more on the card to justify pay-per-view? Who knows what's going on but right now it's radio silence from their end."
Higgins said Chisora was too risky to be taken on at late notice, especially with former WBO champion Parker in a rebuild to get back in the title mix after losing consecutive fights to Anthony Joshua and Whyte in the UK last year.
Parker has since beaten unheralded Mexican American Alexander Flores with a vicious knockout win in Christchurch last December but needs a statement performance against a better opponent to really push his cause. Chisora presents that opportunity - if the terms are right.
"The Whyte camp was short, we aren't going to repeat that. Chisora is a dangerous fighter. He has got a new trainer, he swarms with a lot of punches, he has knocked out Carlos Takam …. he's not to be trifled with. Chisora is a serious unit and it's high risk and return," Higgins said.
"If you win it, you are breathing down Anthony Joshua's neck and back to the top; if you lose it, then you are really struggling."
Chisora is already working with his new trainer Dave Coldwell, the former mentor of retired British boxer Tony Bellew and is motivated to get his own career back on track after being knocked out by Whyte last December.
He has signalled he wants to fight Parker. Now it's up to his handlers to ensure that happens as quickly as possible.
Stuff