Heavyweight boxers Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora are set to clash once again in Manchester following their thrilling first bout earlier this year.
Back in May, Parker (29-2, 21 KOs) had his arm raised after an enthralling twelve rounds finished with a split decision victory for the Kiwi (113-115, 116-111, 115-113).
Now, Chisora (32-11, 23 Kos) will be on the hunt for revenge on December 18th as the pair once again return to the AO Arena under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Alongside this thrilling main event, the rest of the card is stacked with Joshua Buatsi taking on former World Title challenger Maxim Vlasov.
Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs) scored his tenth knockout in a row when he dropped Latvia’s Richards Bolotniks on the final week on Matchroom Fight Camp back in August.
Undefeated Super-Middleweight talent Lerrone Richards (15-0, 3 KOs) will also look to dethrone the 168 lbs IBO World Champion Carlos Gongora (20-0, 15 KOs).
Many fans reacted positively to the fight card announcement, with one social media user saying: “Can’t complain at all, this is what fans want. Solid cards!”
In their first clash, Parker was dropped just seven seconds into the opening round as Chisora left his corner all guns blazing.
But the man from New Zealand, who has only previously lost to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, managed to compose himself to comeback in the later rounds of the fight.
Chisora felt he had done enough for the win, and immediately called for a rematch following the decision.
“I’m getting upset now,” Chisora said in his post-fight interview. “I bring everything, and this is the treatment I get from boxing. I think they don’t like me… But you know what? I won’t let them slow me down. No way. I will go again.”
The Englishman gets his chance to avenge the loss in the same venue too, as boxing-lovers from Manchester will be pleased to see the event return to the area.
Betting odds have opened with Parker a huge favourite; however it will be interesting to see if he can deliver once again.
Tickets are on sale at 10AM Friday morning, with prices starting at £40.
