Joseph Parker will fight for the first time under the Matchroom Boxing USA banner and make his debut on DAZN next weekend, when he faces Alex Leapai on the Demetrius Andrade-Maciej Sulecki card at the at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday, June 29 and live on DAZN.
Parker (25-2 19 KOs) got back to his winning ways in December with a third-round KO victory over Alexander Flores. The win followed two losses, as Parker suffered back-to-back unanimous decision defeats to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte earlier in 2018.
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For Parker, the mission is clear — get back to world heavyweight title contention. Already, the 27-year-old New Zealand boxer feels as good as he has in recent memory.
“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 in an official Matchroom Boxing press release. “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," he continued. "There's a lot that I am doing that I am excited about, like making angles 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," Parker added. "I just have to change up the mindset 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."
If he does accomplish just that and make the statement he's seeking, Parker says he'd love to get Joshua or Whyte back in the ring.
“I would love to avenge the losses that I have had against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte," he said.
Leapai (32-7-4 26 KOs), who spent part of his childhood in New Zealand, vows to pull off a similar upset to Andy Ruiz Jr. defeating Anthony Joshua earlier this month.
“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!”
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn can't wait.
“This is going to be an exciting fight between two big punchers with plenty of pride on the line," Hearn said. "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."