06-21-2019, 12:40 PM
Joseph Parker reveals his fight plan for Alex Leapai
09:01, Jun 21 2019
Joseph Parker wants another ruthless performance as he looks for an early finish against Alex Leapai.
The pair of heavyweights clash in Providence, Rhode Island on June 30 (NZT) with Parker starting his three-fight deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.
Australian-Samoan Leapai comes in as a late replacement for American Eric Molina and Parker has had to make training adjustments.
But the goal is the same – a statement performance to pick up from his last effort, a three round demolition of American-Mexican Alexander Flores last December.
Parker predicts he will have to weather an early storm from Leapai who has question marks over his fitness given his relative inactivity since losing a world title fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
The 39-year-old Leapai has fought just five times since then for two wins, two losses and a draw to take his pro record to 32-7-4.
Parker said they had "two or three" other fighters lined up in case the Molina deal fell through but ultimately Leapai "was the only fighter who put up his hand and is keen so I'm grateful for that".
"Alex is very dangerous in the beginning of the fight, so for three to five rounds he will be very dangerous with big overhand rights and left hooks," Parker told the BoxHard podcast.
"I'm looking to break him down and knock him out."
Leapai is about 10 cm shorter than Molina and Parker now finds himself with a slight reach advantage to work his jab and set up his power shots against the chunky Aussie.
Parker said they would have to put their Samoan heritage aside.
Australian slugger Alex Leapai is expected to come hard at Joseph Parker from the opening bell.
"I have to do my best to bash him up."
While there have been difficulties in getting an opponent for this fight, Parker believes that won't be the case moving forward as he looks to get himself back in elite company.
On Friday (NZT), Britain's Dereck Chisora reiterated his desire to fight Parker.
Chisora would certainly have much more box office appeal than Leapai and be a fight that would help manoeuvre Parker in the right direction.
Parker remains keen to avenging his two losses last year to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, the only defeats in a 25-2 career.
"We have other possibilities on fighting on this card and that card. But we can't focus on any of that until we take care of business first," Parker said.
"There are a lot of good fights to be made, as long as we take care of business. Recent results have opened the division up."
Parker will fight in front of a decent crowd in Rhode Island as Hearn looks to continue his American impact with streaming giant DAZN.
Parker, the former WBO champion, is the main undercard fight to unbeaten hometown favourite Demetrius Andrade's defence of his WBO middleweight belt against Poland's Maciej Sulecki.
Stuff
09:01, Jun 21 2019
Joseph Parker wants another ruthless performance as he looks for an early finish against Alex Leapai.
The pair of heavyweights clash in Providence, Rhode Island on June 30 (NZT) with Parker starting his three-fight deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.
Australian-Samoan Leapai comes in as a late replacement for American Eric Molina and Parker has had to make training adjustments.
But the goal is the same – a statement performance to pick up from his last effort, a three round demolition of American-Mexican Alexander Flores last December.
Parker predicts he will have to weather an early storm from Leapai who has question marks over his fitness given his relative inactivity since losing a world title fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
The 39-year-old Leapai has fought just five times since then for two wins, two losses and a draw to take his pro record to 32-7-4.
Parker said they had "two or three" other fighters lined up in case the Molina deal fell through but ultimately Leapai "was the only fighter who put up his hand and is keen so I'm grateful for that".
"Alex is very dangerous in the beginning of the fight, so for three to five rounds he will be very dangerous with big overhand rights and left hooks," Parker told the BoxHard podcast.
"I'm looking to break him down and knock him out."
Leapai is about 10 cm shorter than Molina and Parker now finds himself with a slight reach advantage to work his jab and set up his power shots against the chunky Aussie.
Parker said they would have to put their Samoan heritage aside.
Australian slugger Alex Leapai is expected to come hard at Joseph Parker from the opening bell.
"I have to do my best to bash him up."
While there have been difficulties in getting an opponent for this fight, Parker believes that won't be the case moving forward as he looks to get himself back in elite company.
On Friday (NZT), Britain's Dereck Chisora reiterated his desire to fight Parker.
Chisora would certainly have much more box office appeal than Leapai and be a fight that would help manoeuvre Parker in the right direction.
Parker remains keen to avenging his two losses last year to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, the only defeats in a 25-2 career.
"We have other possibilities on fighting on this card and that card. But we can't focus on any of that until we take care of business first," Parker said.
"There are a lot of good fights to be made, as long as we take care of business. Recent results have opened the division up."
Parker will fight in front of a decent crowd in Rhode Island as Hearn looks to continue his American impact with streaming giant DAZN.
Parker, the former WBO champion, is the main undercard fight to unbeaten hometown favourite Demetrius Andrade's defence of his WBO middleweight belt against Poland's Maciej Sulecki.
Stuff