Chisora looms for Parker

New promoter Eddie Hearn is eyeing a bout between Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora for the end of the year, but the Kiwi heavyweight may look to squeeze in another fight before then.

The second phase of Parker’s career began in dominant fashion as he celebrated the first of a three-fight deal with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing with a comprehensive 10th-round stoppage of Alex Leapai on Sunday.

Hearn was ringside in Providence, Rhode Island, and David Higgins, Parker’s former promoter who has now moved into a management role, said they agreed it made sense for the former WBO champion to feature on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr rematch, which is expected to take place in November or December.

While Parker’s stock took a hit in 2018 after losing his belt to Joshua, followed by a controversial decision loss to Dillian Whyte, Ruiz’s stunning upset of the former last month has underlined his quality.

Parker became the first New Zealander to win a heavyweight world title when he beat Ruiz in 2016, which remains the MexicanAmerican’s only loss of his career. He’s also the only man to go the distance with Joshua.

A dynamic victory over Britain’s Dereck Chisora, who meets Artur Szpilka on July 20, could put Parker in the frame to meet either Joshua or Ruiz.

‘‘Joseph Parker has confirmed he wants to fight as often as possible,’’ Higgins said. ‘‘So if that [Chisora] is the next one, it will be maybe in November or December. Joseph ideally would like to fight before that.’’

Marvin France travelled to Providence with assistance from Duco.