Joseph Parker vs. Eric Molina - June 29, 2019?

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Matchroom Boxing’s planned big reveal of its latest signing quickly became boxing’s worst kept secret—but hasn’t at all contained the enthusiasm of all parties involved.

“If Joseph Parker performs the way we all know he can over these next three fights then he will have a strong case for another shot at Anthony Joshua,” insists Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s longtime promoter whom will now handle the reins for Parker for at least his next three fights, as per the terms of their new deal. “There’s certainly unfinished business there, so this is a really exciting signing for Matchroom.”

The first fight under the deal will come June 29 on DAZN, with Parker to face former two-time heavyweight title challenger Eric Molina. Their bout will land in Providence, R.I. in supporting capacity to local hero and reigning unbeaten middleweight titlist Demetrius Andrade in a title defense versus Maciej Sulecki.

It will come six months after his last fight, a 3rd round knockout of Alexander Flores last December in Christchurch, New Zealand. The six months between fights matches a career-long inactive stretch for Parker, though a necessary one in figuring out his next move.

“My six-year promotional contract with Duco Events ended on March 26,” noted Parker (25-2, 19KOs), whom outpointed Andy Ruiz—Joshua’s title challenger this weekend—for a vacant heavyweight belt in Dec. 2016, which he defended twice. “It was a wonderfully successful partnership – so much so that David Higgins will always be part of my team, advocating in my best interests in a management capacity.

“Since my contract with Duco ended I have been a free agent, with my team and I spending several months assessing how to best achieve my goal of not only becoming a world champion again, but unifying all of the belts to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”

No better way than to sign with the company who holds all but one of the division’s major hardware. The lone other option would have been to position himself for a shot at unbeaten titlist Deontay Wilder, but would put him deep in a long line of awaiting challengers.

Instead, he believes conducting new business with an old friend will get him to where he needs to be at a much quicker pace.

“Ultimately we decided that the best option was to partner with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing,” explained Parker, who fought on Matchroom shows in back-to-back decision defeats to Joshua and top heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte. “We believe the three-fight deal that we are announcing today will be the start of a long and successful partnership.”

[oogiebe]

Give him a pass for Molina and hope more for his next fight.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

He needs some wins so not suprising. Get him a couple easy ones then match him with hunter or hrgovic

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[ewenhay]

Another snub for Dillian Whyte by Matchroom.

Parker can get another shot after 3 fights but Whyte apparently can't after beating every opponent since losing to Joshua including Parker himself

[Ruthless-RKO]

Another snub for Dillian Whyte by Matchroom.

Parker can get another shot after 3 fights but Whyte apparently can't after beating every opponent since losing to Joshua including Parker himself

Parker will probably take a flat fee to fight Joshua again. Whyte wants a high guarantee and %’s. AJ is doing Whyte over.

[jamamb]

whyte got offered a shot, him turning down the offer doesnt mean it was never made

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I knew it

[joshj909]

I knew it

Good fight in my opinion. Been rumoured for a while. I don't think they were offering Parker enough to take it on the Whyte undercard. Would be decent if it got made.

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[candyslim]

He needs some wins so not suprising. Get him a couple easy ones then match him with hunter or hrgovic

Parker will destroy Molina. Hunter v Parker would be a good fight but if I were Higgins or the manager of just about any heavyweight, I would counsel my fighter to steer well clear of the man from Croatia.

Maybe I'd change your last line to "Get him a couple of easy ones then match him with Hunter or Joyce."

[JohnMcMinn]

“If Joseph Parker performs the way we all know he can over these next three fights then he will have a strong case for another shot at Anthony Joshua,”

This hasn’t aged well.

[cormack]

Parker will do a number on Molina and should then get offered something meaningful .

[Moneyman85]

Poor poor fight..

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Joseph Parker's next opponent will be announced on Thursday, but it's unlikely to be American Eric Molina.

The Kiwi inked a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing earlier this month, joining fellow heavyweight contenders Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte under the guidance of promoter Eddie Hearn.

Molina, 27-5, was widely speculated to be Parker's first fight under Hearn's management, but Newshub understands the 37-year-old's stalling on signing a contract.

Leapai's trainer, Noel Thornbury, told Newshub that he expects to receive a contract from Matchroom Boxing on Wednesday afternoon to step in and fight Parker on June 29 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Leapai fought and lost to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, knocked out in the fifth round.

Since then, the Australian-Samoan has followed two losses with a win and a draw, but hasn't fought since 2017.

Parker's manager David Higgins denied the Molina fight was off the table, but wouldn't confirm nor deny the potential of a showdown with Leapai.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... ne-29.html

[DrDuke]

Leapai will be even less valuable fight for Parker.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Leapai will be even less valuable fight for Parker.

Wasn't it Leapai who was going to fight Dubois? or was it Gorman? Late last year.

[DrDuke]

Wasn't it Leapai who was going to fight Dubois? or was it Gorman? Late last year.

I don't remember, but I do remember, that there was some talk about potential Leapai comeback.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I don't remember, but I do remember, that there was some talk about potential Leapai comeback.

Nathan Gorman vs. Alex Leapai - 22 December 2018 *CANCELLED*

Yeh, it was. just checked.

[candyslim]

FFS I thought Molina was an easy night's work for Parker, but Alex Leapai? Seriously? They can't find an easy win for Parker against someone who is still halfway relevant / respectable ?

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Former heavyweight world titleholder Joseph Parker, who is ringside for Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz told ESPN that Eric Molina, who he was supposed to fight June 29 on the Demetrius Andrade undercard in Providence, Rhode Island, pulled out of the fight and that promoter Eddie Hearn is looking for a replacement for him to face. Parker said he didn't care who it is. "I'm just ready to fight," Parker said.


Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer

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Joseph Parker was a long way off being born when Don King was making and busting some of the biggest heavyweight fights in boxing history.

But even at 87, the controversial American figure still has plenty of influence on the heavyweight scene as Parker and his manager - and former promoter - David Higgins has found out.

Two weeks out from Parker's return to the ring in the US on June 30 (NZT), the former WBO world heavyweight champion is yet to nail down an opponent following some "trouble behind the scenes" in negotiations with scheduled opponent American Eric Molina (27-5).

Molina has had a long association with King as his promoter.

"Most of us thought Don King was dead but it turns out he's alive and well," Higgins told Stuff.

"He's nearly 100 years old, living in Florida somewhere, probably with a big Afro, causing trouble.

"In New Zealand dollar terms he'd be a billionaire. He doesn't need the money, but he still has a hand in a few boxers and Molina's one of them," Higgins said.

"He [King] is a guy that's very difficult to deal with but he's a character Don King and he's a legend," Higgins told Stuff.

Higgins is 100 per cent confident Parker (25-2) will still fight and he confirmed to Stuff that Australian Alex Leapai (32-7-4) is the frontrunner to fight Parker at Providence, Rhode Island.

"What I know is the opponent will definitely not be Molina, he's out of the question now," Higgins told Stuff.

Between all the toing and froing it was easier for Team Parker to look for a new opponent to ensure a Parker fight got off the ground.

"Along the way Molina's on again then he's off again, then he's on again, then he's off again and my understanding is the terms he's been asking for are ridiculous."

Higgins was quick to quash any suggestion that Leapai, 39, was not a credible opponent for Parker if the fight is confirmed. He hopes that could come within the next 24-48 hours.

"To have a late change who is a real puncher is never ideal, it's frustrating, but we have to be philosophical," he said.

But Higgins argues that Leapai would be a more dangerous proposition than Molina.

"He can bang, he's got a massive overhand right, he's knocked a lot of people out.

"Leapai is still in his 30s. They say a heavyweight doesn't reach his prime until their mid-30s and there's another saying in boxing that the last thing a heavyweight loses is their power. That's why you had George Foreman knocking people out in his 40s."