Derek Chisora to face Brit rival David Price in huge 02 clash on October 26 after Joseph Parker pulled out through spider bite
DAVID PRICE will face Derek Chisora on October 26 at the 02 Arena with the Liverpudlian replacing Joseph Parker.
The New Zealand heavyweight pulled out of the bout through illness, with his manager claiming the former WBO champion was bitten by a spider.
This left Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn scrambling to find an opponent, with the likes of Oscar Rivas, Jarrell Miller and Michael Hunter all potential options.
But Price has been confirmed as Chisora's next target, with the 36-year-old coming off the back of a career-best performance against Dave Allen in the summer.
Chisora has racked up two consecutive wins since his knockout defeat against Dillian Whyte - first outpointing Senad Gashi - before stopping former WBC challenger Artur Szpilka inside two rounds in July.
The duo are chief support for Josh Taylor's World Boxing Super Series final clash against Regis Prograis, where the IBF, WBA, WBC Diamond and the Ring Magazine belts on the line.
Chisora said: "It didn’t matter who got in the ring with me on October 26th I’m ready for WAR.
"Parker b*****d out, it’s like he thinks he is Peter Parker not Joseph Parker with his Spider-Man excuses. It’s cool, let him do his thing.
"David Price has stepped up and I’m ready for whatever he brings. If he thinks I’m just going to stand there and be a punch bag like Dave Allen he is in for a shock.
"This is north versus south and in my home town I write the rules. Saturday 26th October get ready to scream TIMBER!"
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Price - who was originally scheduled to appear on the undercard of Callum Smith's world title defence against John Ryder next month - commented: "I'm very excited for this fight.
"Derek is a great competitor and I’m sure he’ll bring the best out of me.
"I kept in the gym all summer because I had a feeling I had to be ready for a call like this, and ready I am.”