‘Disgrace’: Boxing fumes as Parker-Chisora heavyweight war explodes

Boxing fans were treated to something seriously special in a heavyweight blockbuster that went the distance when it had no right to.

Joseph Parker couldn't be stopped. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

Joseph Parker cemented his dominance over Derek Chisora in Manchester on Sunday (AEDT), showing off his brute strength in a thrilling heavyweight slugfest.

Parker beat Chisora via a controversial split-decision win in May but there was no doubt about who was king of the ring this time around as the two men went to war.

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Parker weighed in 5kg heavier for the rematch and the beefed-up Kiwi was packing a serious punch, securing a unanimous decision victory (115-110, 115-111, 114-112) — but the scorecards were slammed for not reflecting the New Zealand fighter’s dominance.

Sports Illustrated boxing writer Chris Mannix tweeted: “These are criminally — criminally — bad scorecards. Parker scored three knockdowns and won at least nine rounds. These are investigation-worry scorecards.”

ESPN boxing expert Teddy Atlas wrote: “Great battle with two gladiators, but did that one judge (114-112) get hit with an uppercut?

“Actually on second thought I think all three judges should be administered CAT scans.”

Journalist Neil Fissler said: “Michael Alexander only giving to Parker by two rounds was a disgrace.”

Plenty more on social media shared those thoughts.

Parker’s win keeps him relevant in the heavyweight division but it was far from easy, as Chisora stunned boxing with his remarkable resilience to stay standing until the final bell when it looked for all money he’d be knocked out early.

Parker (right) dominated from the outset. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The fight exploded in the second round. Parker landed a brutal uppercut before Chisora hit back, each man looking like they were looking to finish things as soon as possible.

Parker’s uppercut — with both hands — was his most dangerous weapon, before a scintillating right-left rocked Chisora up against the ropes seconds before the bell.

Chisora has a healthy tank on him and although he looked gassed at the end of the second, started the aggressor in the third. His onslaught didn’t last long though as Parker stepped up.

The Kiwi drove Chisora up against the ropes and pummelled him repeatedly, his right jab doing heavy damage. It looked like the fight was one punch away from ending but still Chisora stood firm, his granite chin keeping him in the contest.

Chisora survived a standing count in the fourth after a knockdown before turning the tables and throwing a series of wild haymakers before the bell, showing he still had some hope left. The way he unloaded before the fifth suggested Chisora still had the potential to land a knockout blow.

His left hand was as devastating as his right. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

As impressive as Parker was, boxing fans were in awe of Chisora, the 37-year-old veteran eating punch after punch yet refusing to yield. With 1:20 to go in the seventh round, Parker dropped the Zimbabwean with a right uppercut.

Parker then landed some crushing left uppercuts but somehow, as had been the case all fight, Chisora found something from nowhere. He stepped forward and started swinging again, the crowd roaring as he forced Parker to retreat with a barrage of heavy punches.

“This is remarkable courage and resilience,” a DAZN commentator said.

Sports reporter Ryan Taylor tweeted: “Derek Chisora: Heart of a lion. Unbelievable round. Seemingly nothing left in the tank, nearly takes Parker out. Cannot be trained.”

Chisora needed the ropes to hold him up during another standing count following a third knockdown in the eighth round and as he had done all fight, walked over to the corner before continuing to go to war.

Mannix wrote: “Chisora just walking to the corner after each knockdown and Parker having no clue what to do with it is absolutely incredible.”

Parker predicted pre-fight he would end things before the 10th round and while he was doing everything possible to make good on his promise, it was easier said than done.

“I can’t believe we’ve made it here to the 10th round, I really can’t,” one commentator said.

Later, DAZN’s official boxing Twitter account added: “How has this gone 12 rounds?”

Against all the odds, Chisora made it to round 12. Desperately searching for a finish, he kept swinging until the final bell — but there was to be no miracle knockout punch.

Chisora just wouldn’t stay down. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Parker had it over Chisora. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)