Parker most likely to face Leapai not Molina

[oogiebe]

According to sources, Joseph Parker will most likely NOT fight Eric Molina but rather Alex Leapai in his next bout. Apparently, Molina, who was speculated as going to be named on Thursday as the opponent, has stalled in signing the contract for an unspecified reason. Leapai's camp expects to receive a contract from Matchroom and will sign and be announced on Thursday.

Parker's contract with Matchroom is for three fights, if he wins them all. Thoughts on opponent change?

[cormack]

Domestic dust up down under

[oogiebe]

Domestic dust up down under

A fight to get Parker back on the winning track, I suspect. Probably more of the same in his next fight and then something more 'risky' in the third fight.

[cormack]

I wouldlike to see parker get more top fights , decent guy and he was whiskers away from the KO against whyte
has a good positive attitude unlike many others I could care to mention

[oogiebe]

I wouldlike to see parker get more top fights , decent guy and he was whiskers away from the KO against whyte
has a good positive attitude unlike many others I could care to mention

Me too, I just don't think we'll see a challenging fight over his next two. Unless he really is impressive vs Leapai. He's better than many posters give him credit for.

[ValMar]

Leapai is still active ?

[oogiebe]

Leapai is still active ?

Sort of. Two fights in two years. This one will be three fights in three years.

[chinarich]

Jeez, how much longer will they keep recycling Alex Leapai? He retired because of problems with his eyes, I would hope he doesn’t fight again...

[gilgamesh]

You know they're scraping the bottom of the barrel when Eric Molina is actually better than the other option they name

[oogiebe]

You know they're scraping the bottom of the barrel when Eric Molina is actually better than the other option they name

LMAO! How true a statement is that!?

[DrDuke]

You know they're scraping the bottom of the barrel when Eric Molina is actually better than the other option they name

So true. What the hell Parker's team want to earn from such a mismatch?

[oogiebe]

So true. What the hell Parker's team want to earn from such a mismatch?

They want him firmly on winning ways. He'll get a tough fight in due time.

[jamamb]

ya they just want to get him back with some wins adding up, it puts some distance between the losses and seeing him ko some guy gives a bit of momentum going back into a bigger fight

tbf, he has fought good opposition....aj, whyte, ruiz, .............takam and hughie........hes kinda earned a few patsies after the loss

[DrDuke]

tbf, he has fought good opposition....aj, whyte, ruiz, .............takam and hughie........hes kinda earned a few patsies after the loss

But wasn't really convincing in all those fights. I'd even call AJ loss his best performance, cause then he was expected to be KOed, while he wasn't hurt much eventually and even outworked Joshua.

[ValMar]

But wasn't really convincing in all those fights. I'd even call AJ loss his best performance, cause then he was expected to be KOed, while he wasn't hurt much eventually and even outworked Joshua.

I don't think so.

[ValMar]

Honestly, I think even Charles Martin is a level above Leapai.

[jamamb]

Honestly, I think even Charles Martin is a level above Leapai.

of course he is, chucks about as good as kownacki, just slightly worse

[nmhz]

Domestic dust up down under

Isn't Leapai Australian?

Leapai will generate next to no interest regardless of where it is held. Lucas Brown would be a much better option.

What are the sources for this anyway? Parkers last post on IG says its Molina on June 29

[TheBeast]

Probably a Huge PPV seller in Australia and N.Z.

[KiwiRider]

Probably a Huge PPV seller in Australia and N.Z.

I'm not so sure. Parker does have a solid fan base not too affected by his two losses. Leapai is sort of in the wilderness due to inactivity.
Another problem is Parker's fights are expensive. To give an example- AJ Vs Wlad was $35 and Fury Vs Wilder was free. Parker Vs AJ was $50.

[Nondescript]

What a riveting matchup.

[TheBeast]

I'm not so sure. Parker does have a solid fan base not too affected by his two losses. Leapai is sort of in the wilderness due to inactivity.
Another problem is Parker's fights are expensive. To give an example- AJ Vs Wlad was $35 and Fury Vs Wilder was free. Parker Vs AJ was $50.

Cmon this is a local matchup that will imo pay off PPV wise... why make it happen otherwise promotional wise?

[coneye]

MISMATCH,,,, BULLSHIT Just two words that quickly spring to mind

[KiwiRider]

MISMATCH,,,, BULLSHIT Just two words that quickly spring to mind

He's just following the trend of guys like Wilder Vs Brazeale and Fury Vs watsaname.
Make a buck, learn nothing, dissolution fans, and turn the division into a snoozer.

[HomicideHenry]

I hate it for Parker. Interviewed him a few times. Very nice man. But hey, it's easy money and it reminds me of the late 90s & early 2000s with the Pacific boxing scene--- lots of domestic rivalry bouts between guys like Joe Bugner, John Hoppoate, Bob Mirovic, Shane Cameron, Kali Meehan, etc.

Seeing those Aussies and Kiwis, etc duking it out is somewhat nostalgic even if I'm not from the Southern Hemisphere.