Joseph Parker reveals spider bite is the reason he has pulled out of heavyweight clash with Derek Chisora
Joseph Parker has blamed a spider bite for the reason he pulled out of his fight against Dereck Chisora later this month.
Parker, the former WBO heavyweight champion, was due to meet Chisora at the O2 Arena on October 26 as part of the card for the World Boxing Super Series super-lightweight final between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn earlier sent out a tweet to confirm the bout was no longer taking place and Parker's manager David Higgins has also spoken on the matter.
"The theory is that it was a spider bite," said Higgins.
"Boxing is a bizarre world but I know for a fact that Joseph is not well. He has been ordered to rest for three weeks so he can't make October 26, unfortunately.
"Joe is keen to get back in as soon as possible. Hopefully we will have some good news soon."
Parker last fought in June when he stopped former world title challenger Alex Leapai in ten rounds in America on his DAZN debut.
His only two career defeats came in 2018 when he lost via unanimous decision to both Anthony Joshua and then Dillian Whyte.
It is unclear who will now step in to face Chisora at such short notice, but Michael Hunter has thrown his hat into the ring.
Hunter has 18 wins from 19 professional fights – his only loss coming to Oleksandr Usyk at cruiserweight – and is undefeated since moving up to heavyweight.
He beat Sergey Kuzmin last month on points, and a potential showdown with Alexander Povetkin on the Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr under card in December has been mooted.