Andy Lee-coached ex-world champ Joseph Parker scores narrow win in Manchester

JOSEPH Parker, coached by Limerick man Andy Lee, kept his hopes of getting a shot at another world heavyweight title alive when winning a split decision over Derek Chisora at Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

Former world champion Parker recovered from a first round knock-down to battle his way back into the fought and ultimately win a split decision.

Twenty nine-year-old New Zealander Parker got the decision 115-113, 116-111, 113-115.

Parker worked with Castleconnell man Lee in Dublin and Morcombe ahead of his massive clash with Derek Chisora

Parker split with long-term trainer Kevin Barry in March. The pair split soon after Parker defeated Junior Fa in his native New Zealand.

Lee was recommended to 29-year-old Parker by WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who is also the Limerick man's second cousin.

Parker held the WBO belt from 2016 to 2018

Parker explained: "The idea of training with Andy popped up after I gave Tyson a call.

"He suggested that I train with Andy, that he is one of the best trainers he had trained with.

"After three or four Zoom calls, five or six days later, I was on a plane to Ireland, for the first time, to meet Andy.

PARKER DEFEATS CHISORA. pic.twitter.com/S5mYaZgUlw

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 1, 2021

"We gelled from the beginning. He picked me up from the airport and we talked boxing all the way home. From there we got to the gym and started working.

"He’s a trainer and a teacher. He has a lot of knowledge of the boxing game, and a lot of experience, having been a fighter himself and WBO champion."