By Jason Marchetti at ringside
Photos: Emily Harney
In a battle of Samoan heavyweights, Joseph Parker (26-2, 18 KO’s) TKO’d Alex Leapai (32-8-4, 25 KO’s) in the 10th round on Saturday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Parker landed solid left and right hooks during the 1st round and incredible uppercuts during round 2 that would have dropped any normal heavyweight in the division.
Leapai took more shots on the ropes in round 3 but never stopped coming forward and landed his classic overhand right at the bell in the 4th. Parker, boxed the smaller Leapai for the rest of the fight, connecting on 1-2 combinations and broke down Leapai until the referee stopped the fight after he took more flush shots to the head but never hit the canvas.
Leapai protested a bit, but hadn’t won any of the rounds and was pressing the action less and much slower as the fight advanced. Final result was TKO at 2:18 in round 10.
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Lack luster fight, made more questions then statements for Parker
True, Ruiz would knock out “this” version of Joseph Parker, bring on the rematch after he beats Joshua for a second time.
Juan Valdez , Wilder knocked Ruiz from pillar to post and you think he won?
Wilder never fought Ruiz.
I think he meant Parker.
There was Parker vs Ruiz, there was Parker vs Anthony Joshua, there was Parker vs Hughie Fury. Maybe there will be Parker vs Ruiz 2, Parker vs Joshua 2, Parker vs Tyson Fury, or Parker vs Wilder.
Yes, still questions. Unfortunately Parker wasn’t tested enough by Leapai. It’s a shame the fight with Molina didn’t happen. That fight would have given us a better idea about where Parker is at in the heavy weight division.
Just a boring night of boxing all around.
A good fight to get Parker back into the mix. Ruiz vs Parker II would be the same as the first fight, close.