Wednesday’s boxing news: Spider bite sees Joseph Parker scrap Dereck Chisora fight, Andy Ruiz’s advice to Anthony Joshua, Gennady Golovkin talks future plans
Here is a round-up of the best of the boxing news from Wednesday…
Blame the spider
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 on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series super-lightweight final between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis.
“Joe is keen to get back in as soon as possible," said his manager David Higgins. "Hopefully we will have some good news soon.
"The theory is that it was a spider bite.
"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.
Part two?
Errol Spence Jr has dropped his biggest hint yet that he could be ready to take up a rematch offer from Shawn Porter.
The now-unified WBC and IBF welterweight world champion defeated Porter by split decision in a thrilling fight on Saturday night and looked set to defend against Danny Garcia next after being called out by him in the ring.
However on his Instagram, along with a picture of himself, Spence wrote: “Let’s run it Back #strapseason #unifiedchamp #mandown #andstill."
After the fight, Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) spoke highly of his beaten opponent.
“I always respect him as a fighter, him and his dad,” Spence said, referring to Ken Porter, Shawn’s father/trainer. “You know, I always respect what they did. I’ve been knowing them since the amateurs. And, you know, they always been top amateurs. He’s always been winning, always beating big guys in the amateurs and things like that. So, you know, it’s always a respect thing.
Words of advice
Andy Ruiz Jr has urged Anthony Joshua to take a break from boxing should he lose their highly anticipated rematch in December.
The two will meet once again, this time in Saudi Arabia, where Joshua will get a chance to avenge the sole blemish on his 23-fight record.
Ruiz confidently believes the outcome will be the same, but believes Joshua can still bounce back.
“I think he should take a little break if I beat him,” Ruiz told
“Let him recuperate, but one or two losses are not going to make a difference.
“He’s still a warrior, he’s still a great fighter, and I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”
Big drama show
Gennady Golovkin wants a unification bout next if he can overcome Sergiy Derevyanchenko on Saturday.
Golovkin will return to the ring take on the dangerous Ukrainian for the first time since he stopped Steve Rolls back in June.
The fight will be for the vacant IBF World Middleweight Championship and will take place at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City and Golovkin, who has only lost once in his career, could be in line to face the likes of Billy Joe Saunders and Demetrius Andrade.
"Right now is a good time for a business deal," he told SecondsOut after his public workout.
"My focus right now is 100 per cent on Derevyanchenko. If I beat him, I want unification. I want big names and I want a lot.
“Every fight for me is like a championship fight. I feel like a champion. I’m excited. I want. I’m hungry. I have six fights.
"Every fight is important for me, and I want bigger, bigger and bigger. Step by step. I want a big fight, I want a big name."