Alex Leapai

The Samoan born Leapai replaces American Eric Molina for the fight in Rhode Island

Molina pulled out amidst a dispute his promoter Don King had with the fight terms.

The two will fight on June 29 in the first of Parker's three fight deal with British promoter Eddie Hearn.

The Lauli'i born 39-year-old boxer, who is fighting out of Australia, has won 32 fights of his 43 fights, 25 by knockout.

Parker is fighting for the first time with Matchroom Boxing, the same promotion team that recently dethroned champion Anthony Joshua belongs to.

Leapai was destroying Nigerian scrapper Izonritei through the opening rounds and a finish seemed all but certain.

With his opponent covering up against the ropes as he searched for the knockout blow in the third round, Leapai opened up a huge cut over Izonritei's eye.

The referee stopped the action and ruled the cut had been opened by a stray elbow. 

Leapai, who fought Wladimir Klitschko three years ago, thought he'd won the fight, but it was called a technical draw because the bout hadn't yet reached the fourth round.

Leapai retired in February 2016 following the death of his father and being warned he could go blind if he kept fighting.

He became the first Australian to challenge for the heavyweight world title in 106 years when he fought Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, ultimately losing by knockout inside five rounds.

Best known for his 2014 fight against Wladimir Klitschko, Leapai was humbled inside five rounds, but he did have the honour of being the first Australian to challenge for the heavyweight world title in more than a century.