Joseph Parker’s career appeared to have stalled with back-to-back defeats against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte but his stock has risen again in recent months and his new management team are aiming at another world title shot in 2020.
Parker’s third-round knockout of Alexander Flores in December will have restore some confidence and next up is Alex Leapai, a once-powerful puncher who fought Wladimir Klitschko for the world title in 2014.
Parker vs Leapai Tale of the Tape
JOSEPH PARKER VS ALEX LEAPAI
25-2 Record 32-7-4
19 Knockouts 26
6’4 Height 6’0
76″ Reach 75″
After the shock of Anthony Joshua’s defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr, there may not be many big hitters prepared to risk large stakes on Joseph Parker at a best 1/25. However, a win inside the distance looks the most likely outcome for this heavyweight clash at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
Parker’s defeat of Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland in 2016 earned him the WBO belt. But he subsequently lost that title in a unification bout with Joshua and was then defeated by Whyte at the O2 Arena a year ago. However, the Kiwi went the distance both times and he’s still comparatively young for a heavyweight contender at only 27.
It’s simply a case of him working his way back up the rankings now and Leapai took this fight relatively late as Eric Molina was Parker’s original opponent on this bill. Pundits reckon Samoan-Australian Leapai has little chance of upsetting the odds but, as Ruiz proved last month, a puncher’s chance is better than no chance at all.
Backing Leapai requires a leap of faith
Leapai is now 39 and his best days are undoubtedly behind him. He has nothing riding on this contest other than a decent pay packet. The veteran has won just one of his last five fights and has been a stranger to the ring over the last 18 months. It’s guesswork as to what condition he’ll be in to fight a top-class heavyweight in Parker, who is still a marketable asset.
Parker could take on Dereck Chisora next if the Briton puts away Poland’s Artur Szpilka next month. That fight could be on the under-card of the re-match between Ruiz and Joshua. But Whyte, the former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin and ex-cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who is stepping up to heavyweight, are other possibilities. All providing Parker swiftly dispatches Leapai.
Leapai will almost certainly come out swinging but Parker has a solid defence. He is unlikely to be troubled if approaching the fight in the right frame of mind. There should only be one outcome.
