JOSEPH PARKER knows he has to drastically improve to beat Derek Chisora this summer.
The ex-WBO heavyweight world champ – who lost his crown to Anthony Joshua – earned a controversially wide decision over Junior Fa in Auckland yesterday.
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New Zealander Parker went the distance with his compatriot in a nip-and-tuck fight that could have gone either way.
But the three ringside judges somehow saw it as a landslide in Parker’s favour: 109-119, 113-115 and 111-117.
Parker, 29, knows he dodged a bullet and has vowed to be better against Chisora – in a fight that was originally cancelled in 2019 when he suffered a spider bite.
The Kiwi – who was watched by 12,000 fans before Auckland went back into lockdown – said: “It was a great night.
“They came here to fight and it was a lot closer than expected.
“Fa put on a great performance and we have to go back and work on a lot of things.
“It just showed the ring-rust you can end up with after a year out.”
Now Parker, who has only lost to Brits Joshua and Dillian Whyte, wants to return to the UK for an overdue showdown this summer with Del Boy.
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Parker added: “I love the UK.
“I love the media, the respect, so welcoming to our team.
“We have gained a lot of friends and supporters there.”
