Chisora vs Parker: Prediction, undercard, fight time tonight, ring walk, watch on TV, price, live stream, odds

Derek Chisora tonight returns to the ring as he finally takes on Joseph Parker in the heavyweight main event of a stacked Matchroom card in Manchester.

The two rivals were originally supposed to fight in London in October 2019, only for New Zealander Parker to withdraw three-and-a-half weeks out due to illness that it was believed came as the result of a spider bite suffered in Las Vegas.

Chisora and Parker have exchanged plenty of barbs since then and will collide at long last at Manchester Arena, with Chisora, now 37, looking to bounce back from his points defeat by former undisputed cruiserweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk in October.

The pair trades angry words during a tense weigh-in on Friday following a dispute over the order of their ring walks, with Chisora telling Sky Sports: “We’re arguing right now, bac there... either I come in second or I’ll go home right now.” As for Parker, he quipped: “It’s just more drama... I want to knock him out. I’ll certainly beat him, but I want to knock him out.”

Parker is a former heavyweight champion who claimed the vacant WBO belt by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland in 2016 and successfully defended it against the likes of Hughie Fury before being beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2018.

That was followed by another loss on British soil against Dillian Whyte, since when the 29-year-old has rattled off four rather low-key victories against Alexander Flores, Alex Leapai, Shawndell Winters and Junior Fa.

Chisora vs Parker fight card/undercard in full

Saturday night’s pay-per-view card features no shortage of excellent fights in support of Chisora vs Parker, with undisputed women’s lightweight champion Katie Taylor defending her belts against Natasha Jonas, nine years on from their memorable Olympic tussle at London 2012.

Croydon’s British champion Craig Richards also challenges Dmitry Bivol for the WBA light-heavyweight crown, Chris Eubank Jr battles Marcus Morrison and there is the small matter of the second professional outing of Campbell Hatton, son of British boxing great Ricky Hatton.

• Derek Chisora vs Joseph Parker - for vacant WBO intercontinental heavyweight title

• Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas - for Taylor’s undisputed lightweight championship

• Campbell Hatton v Levi Dunn

• Chris Eubank Jr v Marcus Morrison

• Dmitry Bivol vs Craig Richards - for Bivol’s WBA world light-heavyweight title

• Johnny Fisher v Phil Williams

• James Tennyson v Jovanni Straffon – for vacant IBO world lightweight title

• Scott Fitzgerald v Gregory Trenel

Chisora vs Parker date, start time, venue and ring walks

Chisora vs Parker is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The event is taking place at the AO Arena in Manchester.

Ring walks for the main event are expected at approximately 10pm BST, though as ever that is subject to the length of those eagerly anticipated undercard contests - and it remains to be seen whether Chisora will walk out first or second after his angry reaction to losing the coin toss to Parker.

How to watch Chisora vs Parker

TV channel: Chisora vs Parker is being shown live on Sky Sports Box Office at a cost of £19.95, with access covering seven days from the start of the event.

Live stream: Fans who have purchased the event can also watch the action unfold live via the Sky Sports Box Office player or Sky Sports Box Office app.

Chisora vs Parker weigh-in results

Derek Chisora hit the scales at 250.8lbs.

Joseph Parker came in a little lighter at 241.2lbs.

Chisora vs Parker fight prediction

It will be interesting to see what improvements Parker - training in Morecambe - has made working under Andy Lee, having been pointed in the direction of the former middleweight champion by Tyson Fury following his split from long-time trainer Kevin Barry.

Parker himself admits he had become “stale” after some underwhelming contests and he needs an impressive performance this weekend if he is to work his way back into the ranks of big heavyweight contenders.

A disastrous defeat here would surely spell the end of Parker’s hopes of returning to world level and there is also the added pressure of this being the last bout on his three-fight deal with Matchroom.

The battle-hardened Chisora should never, ever be underestimated and ‘Del Boy’ is well capable of striking a key blow to Parker’s ambitions in Manchester.

However, we’re backing the New Zealander to win on points.

Chisora vs Parker betting odds

• Chisora to win: 15/8

• Parker to win: 4/7

• Draw: 20/1

• Chisora by KO/TKO or DQ: 7/2

• Chisora by decision/technical decision: 9/2

• Parker by KO/TKO or DQ: Between 14/5 and 3/1

• Parker by decision/technical decision: 2/1

Odds via Betfair Exchange (subject to change). Click here to find out more.

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