Derek Chisora offers drug-cheat Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller O2 fight to replace spider-bite victim Joseph Parker
DEREK CHISORA has offered drug-cheat Jarrell Miller the chance to replace Joseph Parker.
New Zealand heavyweight star Parker pulled out of the October 26 fight late last night.
Promoter Eddie Hearn cited an "illness" when he tweeted the news and it emerged today that the mystery affliction was caused by a spider bite.
There are just three-and-a-half weeks to go until fight night at The O2 Arena in London.
Miller, 31, was supposed to fight Anthony Joshua in June but tested positive for a banned substance in the build-up.
'Big Baby' has now served his six-month suspension from boxing and is looking to rebuild his career.
His last bout was on November 17 last year as he beat Romanian Bogdan Dinu, claiming the North American WBA and WBO titles.
His co-promoter Greg Cohen revealed his man has stayed in shape and is ready to come back, with some suggestion he could take on Tyson Fury.
Cohen said in early September: “The plan is to get him a licence and return to the ring hopefully in October.
"Look, we could’ve played (loose) with the rules, take 'Big Baby' to another country where the suspension wouldn’t be recognised and have kept him active.
"But we want to show that we—and especially he—takes this very seriously and fully intends to go through the proper channels to resume his boxing career.
"Jarrell has kept in shape, ready to return.
“If we tell him he’s got a fight in October, he will expect another one to come in December."
PARKED UP
Chisora and Parker were scheduled to be the chief support for the super-lightweight unification battle and World Boxing Super Series final between Scottish star Josh Taylor and American ace Regis Prograis.
But the 27-year-old Kiwi has been KO’ed by a mystery illness that his manager is blaming on an unnamed spider.
David Higgins said: "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.
"Joe is keen to get back in as soon as possible. Hopefully we will have some good news soon."
No-nonsense Chisora was back in the gym Wednesday morning, despite hearing the news, as he waits on Eddie Hearn to find him another target.
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Manager David Haye has NOT taken up training duties, since the separation from Coldwell, with Chisora happy working with Hayemaker's team of coaches and take on all comers in sparring.
A statement from Team Parker said they were eager to reschedule the fight against Chisora as soon as he's cleared to return.
But the slugger nicknamed ‘War’ might not want to hang around - and