BoxRec

Joseph Parker will face Alex Leapai on his return to action at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday June 29 live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.



“Over the past six years of being a professional this is the first time that I’ve come into camp at a good weight,” said Parker. “I’m enjoying camp more as a result I think, because we’re working more on skills and technique rather than focusing on losing weight. I feel faster, I feel everything is clicking, less injuries and everything is on track.

“With each opponent you see what their style brings and you adjust accordingly what you will do in the ring, there’s a lot that I am doing that I am excited about, like making angels and throwing different combinations, and I’m just looking forward to putting it on display on June 29.

“A stoppage would be nice, that’s the goal going into every fight. I just have to change up the mind set to not only go in there and win, but go in and KO someone and make a statement. This is my first fight with Matchroom Boxing USA and DAZN so I want to make that statement, there’s no pressure but I do have to go out there and look good.

“I would love to avenge the losses that I have had against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. I’ll fight them tomorrow. But Dillian is trying to fight for the WBC title so respect to him for that, but if the opportunity came along I would love that fight again.”

“I am the Samoan Andy Ruiz – the guy everyone writes off,” said Leapai. “This will be the second massive upset this year because Parker is getting sparked. Then I’m going to take Andy’s Snickers off him!”

“This is going to be an exciting fight between two big punchers with plenty of pride on the line,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “For Joe, it’s about looking good and making a statement to the division that he is ready to try and reclaim his World title. For Alex, it’s a shot to nothing to put himself right back in the mix – he’s talking a great game but we expect a show stopping performance from Joseph Parker in Providence on June 29.

Parker’s clash with Leapai is part of a blockbuster night of World championship action in Rhode Island as unbeaten hometown favourite Demetrius Andrade defends his WBO Middleweight strap against Poland’s Maciej Sulecki, unbeaten Briton Kal Yafai puts his WBA Super-Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Norbelto Jimenez.

Boston’s Mark DeLuca faces Canadian Brandon Brewer over ten rounds at Super-Welterweight, young talents Alexis Espino and Raymond Ford taste their third action in the paid ranks, local favorite Anthony Marsella faces Jose Aubel, with another unbeaten Providence fighter Anthony Concepcion also featuring.

Parker by KO early.

DrDuke wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 11:09 Parker by KO early.

Yeah, nothing else to say.

oogiebe wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 11:09 Yeah, nothing else to say.

Simple as...

Wonder what would have happened if Leapai fought Gorman.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 12:08 Simple as...

Wonder what would have happened if Leapai fought Gorman.

The same probably...

Wasn't Leapai supposed to fight earlier this year in England and simply didn't get on the plane?

Parker will outclass him, I hope Leapai takes the money and retires - he doesn't have anything more to offer at anything beyond domestic level.

Strictly a momentum fight for Parker. Smash the crap out of the guy and get yerself going.

Gnome wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 13:08 Wasn't Leapai supposed to fight earlier this year in England and simply didn't get on the plane?

Parker will outclass him, I hope Leapai takes the money and retires - he doesn't have anything more to offer at anything beyond domestic level.

Yh. December against Gorman.

Why is it called The Comeback?

Parker isn't coming out of retirement; he hasn't been off for an excessive amount of time by modern standards.

What a daft moniker.

I'm wondering what this 3 fight deal will lead to.
Leapai is barely a stay busy fight.
That leaves 2 on the deal.
Parker IMO, is a guy that needs to stay busy. If Chisora is next, it still does not prepare him for the top level.
Is he being groomed for Usyk?

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 15:47 I'm wondering what this 3 fight deal will lead to.
Leapai is barely a stay busy fight.
That leaves 2 on the deal.
Parker IMO, is a guy that needs to stay busy. If Chisora is next, it still does not prepare him for the top level.
Is he being groomed for Usyk?

Agree with this, Chisora would be a waste of time; Parker comfortably beats him..

Usyk would be interesting, as he is an unknown at HW and Parker would be a great test for him.

Parker isn't that much bigger than Usyk and he's a technical fighter like Usyk too.

Parker has more to lose than Usyk as if he were to lose, folk would deride him for not being able to beat a CW, whereas if Usyk loses, he might get a free pass for stepping up to a high level too soon.

Syntax Error wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 16:14 Agree with this, Chisora would be a waste of time; Parker comfortably beats him..

Usyk would be interesting, as he is an unknown at HW and Parker would be a great test for him.

Parker isn't that much bigger than Usyk and he's a technical fighter like Usyk too.

Parker has more to lose than Usyk as if he were to lose, folk would deride him for not being able to beat a CW, whereas if Usyk loses, he might get a free pass for stepping up to a high level too soon.

My dream matchup for Parker is Kownacki. I think that would set some record for punch's thrown or something. It would also weed out the loser from potential title fight contenders.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 16:18
My dream matchup for Parker is Kownacki. I think that would set some record for punch's thrown or something. It would also weed out the loser from potential title fight contenders.

Parker/Kownacki, I'd to go and see that one.

Syntax Error wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 15:09 Why is it called The Comeback?

Parker isn't coming out of retirement; he hasn't been off for an excessive amount of time by modern standards.

What a daft moniker.

His comeback to a Matchroom card?

This is the start of a real comeback trail?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 16:58 His comeback to a Matchroom card?

This is the start of a real comeback trail?

OK, that makes sense.

Well it's official.
Sky Sport are seriously taking the piss.
This fight is PPV in NZ
And for only £20, which is £5 more than Wilder Fury or AJ Povitkin.
What a joke eh?
A tragic miss match preceded by an undercard only to be rivalled by a Friday night on the back streets of South Auckland.
Gimme a friggin break Sky, and pedel this nonsense someplace else.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑23 Jun 2019, 17:29 Well it's official.
Sky Sport are seriously taking the piss.
This fight is PPV in NZ
And for only £20, which is £5 more than Wilder Fury or AJ Povitkin.
What a joke eh?
A tragic miss match preceded by an undercard only to be rivalled by a Friday night on the back streets of South Auckland.
Gimme a friggin break Sky, and pedel this nonsense someplace else.

Almost as bad as PPV for Schwarz/Fury.

oogiebe wrote: ↑23 Jun 2019, 17:31 Almost as bad as PPV for Schwarz/Fury.

At least Schwarz was relevant. Leapai has been out for so long I thought he was in construction toting a wheelbarrow or something.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑23 Jun 2019, 17:38 At least Schwarz was relevant. Leapai has been out for so long I thought he was in construction toting a wheelbarrow or something.

LOL! Not sure I'd call Schwarz relevant, but I get your point.

hard for me to shake how god awful leapai looked when i last saw him, getting clowned by manny charr

charr was even doing ali shuffles and dancing around the ring with his hands down. sad part is that he was legitimately clownng and outclassing alex with that stuff. leapai made big joe look fast

You get the whole card though? Main event too? NZ Sky just tryna make money, plus Parker probably gets extra money for the fight being PPV in NZ.

jamamb wrote: ↑23 Jun 2019, 17:48 hard for me to shake how god awful leapai looked when i last saw him, getting clowned by manny charr

charr was even doing ali shuffles and dancing around the ring with his hands down. sad part is that he was legitimately clownng and outclassing alex with that stuff. leapai made big joe look fast

That just about sums it up! LOL!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑23 Jun 2019, 19:33 You get the whole card though? Main event too? NZ Sky just tryna make money, plus Parker probably gets extra money for the fight being PPV in NZ.

It's not exactly a good card.

Parker taking a gimme like Fury did? How could he?

ironbeard wrote: ↑23 Jun 2019, 19:47 Parker taking a gimme like Fury did? How could he?

Parker needs to fight his way back. Fury already at or near the top (and getting the benefit of the doubt).