Joseph Parker recovers from seven-second knockdown to edge out Derek Chisora

• Katie Taylor was severely tested by Natasha Jonas but won by unanimous verdict

• Chris Eubank Jr returns to the ring with unanimous points victory

• Jovanni Straffon shocks James Tennyson in IBO World Lightweight fight

Cult heavyweight Derek Chisora refused to call time on his career on Saturday in spite of health fears after losing by unanimous decision in a punishing contest against former WBO world champion Joseph Parker in Manchester – a third successive career defeat.

Chisora, 38 this month, dropped to twelve losses in his 44-fight career having been floored once and having been given two standing counts by referee Howard Foster in the fourth, seventh and ninth rounds in a rematch with the New Zealander.

Nonetheless, it was a dramatic, thrilling contest which went the distance and in which Chisora fought back ferociously, particularly when the Finchley fighter looked out on his feet and close to defeat. It has become a staple of the contests involving the fighter known as 'War' Chisora, and has turned the once-bad boy of British boxing into a cult box office figure with his granite chin, and relentless fighting style.

Chisora, a former world title challenger, had told Telegraph Sport in an exclusive interview last week that boxing "is an addictive drug" and on Saturday reiterated that he had "no desire to retire" in spite of calls from many quarters after the points defeat – 115-111, 115-110, 114-112 – that he should consider hanging up his gloves.

"You can't retire from this game. It's the biggest drug in the whole world. It's hard to leave boxing. The only time we do is when we're six feet under and even then I'll still probably be shadowboxing," Chisora told Telegraph Sport.

He also insisted that there are still trilogy fights out there for him with WBC champion Tyson Fury, and Dillian Whyte, and that he plans to return next year, tweeting : "F*** retirement. I'll be back in the summer."

The promoter Eddie Hearn expressed some concern, but insisted the final decision must rest with the fighter himself. "It is difficult because he is not regressing in training," Hearn told Boxing Social. "He is not losing his punch resistance and he is still boxing well.

"But he is 36 and he is in a lot of tough fights so it is a decision between his loved ones who will say: 'What do you want to do?' He loves this and he could fight anyone, Andy Ruiz or Luis Ortiz, and still fill up the stadiums regardless. It was another tough night at the office but we will support him whatever he chooses to do, but I believe he will fight again next year, I'm pretty sure of that."

Parker, who has aspirations to regain a world title, added: "Derek always comes for war, he was one tough guy and never stopped coming forward until the end. The crowd went mental when he walked out.

"They just want to support him. Personally I'd like to see him walk away. He has given boxing everything, but that's his decision."

Jake Paul wins again

Meanwhile, in Miami, Youtube star Jake Paul enjoyed victory with a stunning one-punch knockout of former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, and called out Tommy Fury, younger brother of Tyson Fury, after the Lancashire boxer had pulled out of their contest through injury.

Fury and Paul are expected to sign a new fight deal in the New Year.

12:08AM

Chisora says he wants to 'go again'

He is very upset with the judges' decision. Sounds like they have agreed to a rematch.

12:06AM

It's a view

12:05AM

What next for Derek Chisora?

Is his dream of another tilt at the heavyweight championship of the world finally extinguished?

12:05AM

It was close but...Joseph Parker wins by split decision

Tough on Chisora who offered so much to the that fight.

12:00AM

Sky's Andy Clarke has Parker winning eight of four rounds

He concedes a number of those came down to Parker landing punches in the closing 30 seconds of rounds.

11:57PM

Round 12: Chisora vs Parker

A late onslaught from Chisora's right hand, trying to end this fight as he started it. Parker is the fighter finishing the stronger, catching Chisora on the chin with a big left hand and driving him to the ropes. Chisora still managed to battle on and land a few more body shots. This one is going to be close - over to the judges!

11:53PM

Round 11: Chisora vs Parker

Chisora's fitness and stamina is impressive considering the eight-year age gap between the fighters, he is not fading as badly as you might think. Good combination from Parker late in the round and I think the judges will give this one to him. We're heading for the 12th!

11:51PM

The view of our man in Manchester

11:49PM

Round 10: Chisora vs Parker

This is going to come down to a close call on the judges' cards most likely. No signs of a KO just now. Parker has recovered from that nightmare start when he hit the canvas after seven seconds but Chisora landed a big right hand just before the bell sounds. Another close round.

11:46PM

Round nine: Chisora vs Parker

Parker starting to show his class but Chisora is not going away. Parker now trusting himself to get punches off on the inside.

11:42PM

Round eight: Chisora vs Parker

Parker starting to get up close and personal now and land some body shots, the momentum has shifted in this fight. Chisora is so tough, landing a good upper cut to regain a foothold. Plenty of ebb and flow to this.

11:37PM

Round seven: Chisora vs Parker

Parker with a lovely jab, trying to keep his distance. He needs the second half of this fight to be a boxing match but Chisora needs it to be a scrap. Parker then looked to have Chisora hurt and wobbling after a left hook but he hangs on. Parker on top now.

11:33PM

Round six: Chisora vs Parker

Better from Parker, starting to feint and jab with a smoothness you'd expect of a former world champion. But Chisora then caught him with a thumping upper cut but the New Zealander stands his ground. We are at the halfway mark.

11:30PM

Round five: Chisora vs Parker

Chisora doing his best to grind down Parker with good bodywork at close quarters. The style of this fight is suiting him you have to say. Can Parker respond or will he be ground down and tire as the body shots take effect?

11:26PM

Round four: Chisora vs Parker

A gruelling contest continues but Chisora is still getting his body shots off. The best shot of the round also came from Chisora with a big right hand over the top.

11:21PM

Round three: Chisora vs Parker

The pattern continues: Parker wants to fight from range and hide behind his excellent jab, while Chisora wants to get up close and pepper Parker with body shots. Chisora's style is just about prevailing with three gone.

11:17PM

Round two: Chisora vs Parker

Good right hand from Chisora but has he closes in on Parker the New Zealander produced an unsettling counter-attack. Chisora's turn to be on the ropes. A strong finish to the round from Chisora though - this fight is progressing according to his gameplan.

11:13PM

Round one: Chisora vs Parker

Parker is on the canvas within the first 10 seconds! Seven to be precise. Chisora promised a fast start and he landed the first heavy blow and it temporarily floored the New Zealander.

That was almost a moment for the ages. Parker's footwork looks slow and sloppy so far and Chisora is getting on top of him. Parker then lands a good jab though and starts to get moving. That was a bit better from him in the closing seconds. Exciting stuff.

11:07PM

Parker is in the ring

He is the only one of these two fighters to have held a world title. Things have not gone his way in the last few years, but is is a better boxer than Chisora. The Londoner has the punching power to win this though.

11:02PM

Time for the main event

Chisora is the first fighter to emerge. He walks to the ring accompanied by the sound of Hotel California by The Eagles. Will this be heaven or will this be hell for him tonight?

10:51PM

What a contest

10:49PM

Eddie's view

10:47PM

Still the champion

10:45PM

Katie Taylor wins by unanimous points decision!

Remains unbeaten and retains all her world titles. Jonas can hold her head high though, and it was really close on the judges' cards: 96-94, 96-95, 96-95.

10:42PM

Round 10: Taylor vs Jonas

Both fighters standing and trading but a right hand from Jonas gets through. This is a thrilling finish as both try for a spectacular finale but eventually tiredness gets the better of them and they hold. Taylor finishes with some good punches with Jonas on the ropes. The bell sounds and it will go down to the judges! A magnificent fight and full credit to both.

10:38PM

Round nine: Taylor vs Jonas

Taylor starting to get on top again with a right hand over the top followed by more combinations at close quarters. It looks like the champion might be growing stronger as the fight progresses. Jonas will need to throw everything in the last round.

10:35PM

Round eight: Taylor vs Jonas

Brilliant bodywork from Jonas and it produces a strong response from the fast hands of Taylor with her combinations. The champion is digging in but this contest is almighty close with two rounds remaining.

10:33PM

Round seven: Taylor vs Jonas

Jonas with a very good combination before landing a big left hand. She is making life really uncomfortable for Taylor and staying compact. Jonas' trainer Joe Gallagher gets told by the referee to keep his noise down but that was another cracking effort from Jonas. Taylor has been on the receiving end of the hardest shots.

10:29PM

Round six: Taylor vs Jonas

Really eye-catching action in this round with Taylor doing some good work on the inside with fast hands but Jonas keeps throwing some dangerous punches from range. That was a much better round for Jonas.

10:28PM

Campbell Hatton

10:26PM

Round five: Taylor vs Jonas

Jonas' coach Joe Gallagher calling for her to go for an upper cut but Taylor gets to work with a right hook. Jonas is keeping out of harm's way but she needs to start landing more punches.

10:24PM

Round four: Taylor vs Jonas

Jonas with a slight slip after a strong combination from Taylor, this round has been neat and tidy from the champion. That one definitely goes to Taylor who throws a good jab late on.

10:20PM

Round three: Taylor vs Jonas

Taylor starting to land some body shots now but Jonas does reply in kind. Jonas moves well to get away from the ropes and finishes the round strongly.

10:18PM

Round two: Taylor vs Jonas

Taylor finding her rhythm early on with a potent left hook. Jonas with a good right hand in response, and she tries to get behind her jab which is thrown from a southpaw stance. Taylor with the edge but not having it all her own way.

10:14PM

Round one: Taylor vs Jonas

The bell goes and both fighters size each other up. Jonas has bounced back well from being stopped by Viviane Obenauf in 2018 to earn this fight. Taylor showing her impressive hand speed early.

10:08PM

Now it's Taylor's turn

Defending her status as the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. Can she deliver another special performance?

10:04PM

Natasha Jonas is the first to walk into the ring

From Liverpool, hoping to cause an upset in Manchester.

9:54PM

Katie Taylor up next

Will she maintain her unblemished record against an old rival? Jonas and Taylor fought at the London 2012 Olympics.

9:54PM

Blue moon rising: Hatton wins on points

9:46PM

Like father like son

9:37PM

Campbell Hatton up next

Four-round lightweight context up against Levi Dunn.

9:19PM

Eubank wins bu unanimous decision

9:16PM

Round 10: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Both fighters exchange left hands which forces Eubank to step back. Morrison has shown good craft and toughness to get through this, even if Eubank could have pressed more for a stoppage. Eubank shakes his way away from Morrison in the closing seconds and that will be a solid points victory.

9:12PM

Round nine: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Morrison lands a very dangerous left hook which will keep Eubank honest. He still carries a threat despite Eubank having the upper hand. Morrison's defences have been good and they have earned him a 10th round.

9:06PM

Round eight: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Morrison does land two left hooks to give Eubank something to think about early in the round, but Eubank is moving clear of danger after swaying out of the way of two jabs. Eubank then uses that left hand again to push Morrison towards the ropes. But the bell sounds after the fighters clinch.

9:04PM

Round seven: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Eubank's left hand doing more damage and Morrison is really hanging on now. Seems that after a long absence from the ring Eubank is happy to get some rounds under his belt.

9:00PM

Round six: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Eubank starting to go through the gears and show his class with Morrison on the ropes. An upper cut and another left hand to the body,Morrison's face is badly bloodied. Again though, Eubank steps back slightly rather than turning the screw.

8:56PM

Round five: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Eubank has Morrison backed on to the ropes again and lets his hands go, but Morrison responds with some punches of his own on the inside. That was another good burst from Eubank who looks to be in control of the fight, but Morrison is landing the odd punch from range. Eubank finally gets his jab working towards the end of the round.

8:52PM

Round four: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Good work on the ropes from Morrison to evade pressure, and his jab is working well again. He gets through the round unscathed - will Eubank regret not going for the kill in the second?

8:48PM

Round three: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Much more aggressive from Morrison who lets fly with a big right hand, and Eubank elects to stand and trade. The view before the fight was this could come to a swift, spectacular conclusion but both fighters retreat as the round progresses. Eubank not landing too many jabs.

8:45PM

James Tennyson speaks

8:44PM

Round two: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

Morrison crowds Eubank and pushed him back towards the corner, but Eubank launches an impressive counter-attack, a series of quick punches to the body has Morrison struggling. Eubank then steps back and gulps down some oxygen but he had Morrison in bother for a while there.

8:40PM

Round one: Eubank Jr vs Morrison

There will be 10 rounds in this middleweight contest. A very circumspect opening round but Morrison does land a couple of good jabs but Eubank then steps in to smother his opponent.

8:31PM

Time for Chris Eubank Jr vs Marcus Morrison

8:19PM

Chisora in the building

8:17PM

Bivola wins by unanimous decision

He remains undefeated and retains his WBA title. Richards did himself proud and it was a lot tighter than anticipated, but alas it was not enough. Can't really argue with the verdict. 118-110, 115-113 and 115-114 the scores.

8:10PM

A game effort from Richards

He has pushed Bivola all the way to a 12th round but the Russian will likely be ahead on the judges' scorecard.

8:01PM

Our man in position

7:50PM

Dave Coldwell's verdict

7:49PM

Bivola v Richards at the halfway mark

Very close on the judges' scorecards after Richards survived a scare in the second.

7:38PM

Jonas and Eubank Jr are in the building

7:17PM

WBA World Light-Heavyweight title fight next

Russian Dmitry Bivola up against British fighter Craig Richards. Richards is unbeaten and has won the British title but this is a step up.

7:15PM

Endorsement for Fisher

7:07PM

Eddie Hearn assures everyone Joshua vs Fury is happening

He says we can expect an announcement next week. He admits big fight announcements can become 'a bit of a soap opera' and says 'we cannot work any quicker'.

7:01PM

Fisher the victor

The man they call the 'Romford Bull' produced a big finish in round three and the referee stepped in to prevent Williams taking further punishment. Two wins from two now for young Fisher and he moves on to bigger and better things.

6:57PM

Straffon goes to work on Tennyson

6:51PM

Up next...

Phil Williams from Swindon up against Johnny Fisher.

6:31PM

There has already been the first shock of the night

A serious setback for James Tennyson and a potential career-changer for Mexican Jovanni Straffon who forced a first-round stoppage in their IBO World Lightweight contest.

5:17PM

Both fighters approaching last chance saloon

How will Derek Chisora be remembered? As a slightly comical cult hero known for starting press conference brawls and arguments over coin tosses, or as a serious contender for heavyweight world titles?

We will be a lot closer to finding out the answer to that question after his fight against New Zealander Joseph Parker this evening, a former world champion who also has plenty to prove after defeats against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte burst his bubble.

The fight has been more than 15 months in the making, and was due to be held in October 2019 in Las Vegas, but Parker pulled out with a mystery illness caused by a spider bite. More Peter Parker than Joseph you could say, a joke Chisora was keen to revive when the pair had breakfast earlier this week with a man in a Spiderman costume in attendance.

It is now nine years since Chisora's sole world title fight against Vitali Klitschko, and time is running out at 37. Last year, he lost to Oleksandr Usyk on points at Wembley Arena.

At the weigh-in, the fight briefly looked in some jeopardy when Chisora lost a coin toss that meant he would have to walk on first rather than second. Common sense appeared to prevail on Saturday morning though, thanks to a conversation between Chisora and his mother, Viola.

'I didn't see this fight happening with Derek walking into the ring first, but thankfully the voice of reason came in,' David Haye told Sky Sports. 'Viola - Derek's lovely mother - is the only person he actually listens to.'

Before that, Katie Taylor defends her undisputed world lightweight titles against Natasha Jonas, reigniting a rivalry which began with a fight at the 2012 Olympics. Taylor is an undefeated champion but Jonas was previously halted by Viviane Obenauf in 2018.

Taylour said: 'Tasha has got a loss on her record herself, and that loss has come from a knockout, so if anybody can be hurt it's actually her.

'But it's going to be a great fight, I'm really looking forward to it. Two top quality opponents facing each other, this is what it's all about.'

The ringwalks should begin around 9pm before Chisora vs Parker at 10.30pm.