Derek Chisora’s MUM steps in to save Joseph Parker fight after Del Boy threatened to quit over ring walk controversy

Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker’s fight will go ahead tonight – thanks to Del Boy’s mum.

The British heavyweight, rarely quiet in the build-up to any fight, sensationally threatened to quit over the ring walk arrangement.

Matchroom/Mark Robinson

Chisora stormed out of yesterday’s press event in Manchester

Chisora claimed he deserved the right usually reserved for champions to enter the ring second – and then lost a coin toss on live television which meant he had to walk out first.

The boxer told Sky Sports: “We’re having an argument, they wanna do a coin flip [for] who comes in the ring first/second. Nah, not doing that. Either I come in second or I go home right now.”

Doubt was cast over whether the fight would happen, but Chisora’s manager and former foe David Haye revealed a ‘voice of reason’ intervened to calm his client down.

Matchroom/Mark Robinson

Hearn tossed a coin and Parker won

Haye told Sky Sports News: “It sounds crazy. I didn’t see the fight happening with Derek walking to the ring first.

“But thankfully the voice of reason came in – Viola, Derek’s lovely mother, and she is the only person he actually listens to.

“I spoke to Viola about an hour ago and she said, ‘I told him he’s going to come to the ring first, like he promised, and that’s that. I talked to Derek, and Derek sort of agreed, yes he’s agreed that.

“The fight is 100 per cent on. Derek will be walking to the ring first as he should have done, because he lost the coin toss. We’ve got ourselves a fight.”

Matchroom/Mark Robinson

The fight headlines an incredible event at the MEN Arena

The heavyweight clash headlines a huge night of pay-per-view boxing on a card featuring Chris Eubank Jr, Campbell Hatton and Katie Taylor – which Eddie Hearn has described as the best card he’s ever promoted.

Former fighter Spencer Oliver told talkSPORT that Hearn also stepped in to make sure Chisora fights, while questioning why the Brit cares so much about a ring walk behind closed doors.

Oliver said: “The last I’ve heard, he’s calmed down and I think we’ve still got the fight.

“As far as I’m aware, Chisora is still in the building. Eddie Hearn had a word with him and said, ‘Come on mate, let’s get it together’.

“I don’t know if he is walking in first. We’re doing this behind closed doors, so does it really matter who walks in first?”