Parker v Chisora: Promoter Eddie Hearn confirms Kiwi heavyweight's next fight

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker has been confirmed to fight Briton Dereck Chisora at London's O2 Arena on October 27 (NZ time).

Negotiations for the bout have been drawn out over recent weeks, with Parker management recently insisting their opponent undergo VADA-approved drug testing before they would sign off on the deal.

But Parker's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has officially announced the fight on Sky Sports, in the build-up to Sunday's world lightweight title fight between Luke Campbell and Vasyl Lomachenko at the same venue.

Parker and Chisora will share billing on the professional card, with Scot Josh Taylor defending his IBF light-welterweight belt against American Regis Prograis in the World Boxing Super Series final.

"Chisora will come with experience and he will come with pressure," says Parker. "He's coming off two good wins, so he'll be full on confidence and out to make a statement.

"As always, I back myself against any fighter on this planet and I'm expecting an exciting war."

Both Parker's career losses have come in Britain, against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff and Dillian Whyte in London.

He's since achieved wins over Alexander Flores and Alex Leapai, as he tries to rebuild his world title credentials. 

"A win here takes me another step towards targeting the other top names in the division and becoming a two-time world champion," says Parker.

Chisora, 35, has a 31-9 record and has battled some of the division's biggest names, losing twice to both Whyte and Tyson Fury, as well as Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko.

His last five outings have been at the O2 Arena, with the most recent being a second-round knockout of Pole Artur Szpilka in July.

"I've now given [Parker] all the time he needed," says Chisora. "I'm a real fighter, I'm always ready to go to war."

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