Dereck Chisora vs Joseph Parker is a fascinating heavyweight showdown Saturday night, and we’ve previewed the huge clash to give you our expert boxing betting picks.
The 29-year-old New Zealander Parker locks horns with 37-year-old warhorse Chisora in England’s Manchester Arena. It is a crossroads fight for both men.
Joseph (28-2) is ranked #3 by the WBO and desperate for another shot at the title he held between 2016 and 2018. Chisora (32-10) is still a tough test for any elite heavy and still has dreams of big fights to come.
Despite it being a good fight, Stryker is shocked this is a pay-per-view attraction over in the UK, but thankfully we won’t have to shell out crazy money here in the U.S.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of fight night…
Chisora vs Parker Odds
The odds for this one are pretty tight, almost ‘pick em’ territory.
Joseph, eight years younger and with world-title aspirations to the fore, is a slight favorite – best odds are -175 (BetMGM and Borgata). Dereck is a +150 underdog with several online bookmakers. The Draw is +2200.
Chisora vs Parker preview and predictions
Parker was disappointing in his last fight, a points win over Junior Fa in the big domestic dust-up in New Zealand in February.
That prompted Joseph to part with long-time trainer Kevin Barry and replace him with Kronk disciple Andy Lee. It was Lee remember who teamed up with ‘SugarHill’ Steward to steer Tyson Fury to that astonishing demolition of Deontay Wilder last year.
It will be fascinating to see what changes Lee makes. Parker has a tendency to be lazy at times, and he was underwhelming as he labored past Fa.
Chisora meanwhile has fought everybody there is to fight, and is still a real handful for any self-respecting heavyweight. He showed last time out against former cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Dereck lost a decision to Usyk last October, but he gave the Ukrainian his first real examination as a heavyweight. Likely he will have more of the same in store for Parker.
Stryker just cannot imagine this one finishing inside distance. Two men with great chins and heart. And neither a puncher of seismic proportions. Expect a fascinating and grueling fight. One that likely goes the distance.
Chisora vs Parker betting picks
We expect Dereck to start fast, as he did against Usyk last Fall. But as the fight wears on the younger man in Parker should take control.
Joseph can withstand the early storm and dominate the second half of the action to prevail on the scorecards.
Pick: Joseph Parker to win by decision or technical decision at +175 (William Hill, BetMGM, Borgata, bet365)
What time will the fight start?
The fight is taking place in England, so you’ll need to answer the bell late afternoon here. Ring walks for the main event are expected between 1700 ET (1400 PT) and 1800 ET (1500 PT).
Where can I watch the fight?
You can watch Chisora vs Parker on streaming platform DAZN. The self-styled ‘Netflix of sports’ has a monthly subscription available for $19.99 or an annual package for $99.99.
The platform also has ‘Canelo’ vs Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 and Devin Haney vs Jorge Linares on May 29. So well worth considering signing up right now.
Chisora vs Parker Weights
Chisora looked in top shape as he weighed in at 250lbs Friday – some 5lbs lighter than he was for the loss to Usyk.
Parker registered 241lbs, just over a pound heavier than he was against Fa in February.
Chisora vs Parker Undercard
Chisora vs Parker heads a bill with plenty of interest as a whole.
Women’s superstar Katie Taylor heads up the undercard when she puts her lightweight titles on the line against Natasha Jonas. It’s a super clash, and unfinished business after their thrilling Olympic showdown nine years ago in London.
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr also features. He is desperate for an eventual showdown with Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin and has his first fight since linking up with fight legend Roy Jones Jr. He faces Marcus Morrison.
Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA light-heavyweight title against Craig Richards, while Campbell Hatton (son of Manchester legend Ricky) continues his boxing education.
Katie Taylor vs Natasha Jonas Picks
Taylor (17-0 6 KOs) defends her titles against Jonas (9-1-1 7 KOs) in a rematch of their 2012 Olympic scrap this weekend.
Their 2012 Olympic quarter-final was an outstanding contest, during a Games where Jonas became the first ever female boxer to compete for Team GB. Defeat hurt the Liverpool stylist (Taylor would go on to win gold) and Jonas has been plotting her revenge for nine years.
Jonas’ trainer Joe Gallagher is also hoping there will be no scorecard controversies. Team Jonas as upset by last year’s war with WBC super-featherweight champion Terri Harper – which ended in a disputed draw. Gallagher believes Taylor was fortunate to receive a majority decision win over Delfine Persoon in their first encounter in 2019.
“There’s been question marks over a few Katie Taylor decisions and Natasha Jonas’ decision, so we want the best judges that the governing bodies have at ringside,” Gallagher said.
Taylor has become the face of women’s boxing during a stellar pro career, but Jonas’ journey has not been as smooth.
She suffered a shock loss to Viviane Obenauf in 2018 but has rebounded well and was desperately unlucky not to win the WBC belt from Harper. A rematch had been expected, but this fight with Taylor was offered at the higher weight and Jonas took it.
Natasha has oozed confidence in the build-up but this is a big task, especially jumping up to lightweight. The Irish fighter is quite simply a boxing sensation and still might be the best ‘pound-for-pound’ female fighter on the planet. She showed some flaws in those two wars with Persoon, but the pick here is for her to punch out a unanimous decision over the gritty but limited Jonas.
Pick: Taylor to win by decision or technical decision -162 (William Hill)