Alex Leapai fought for the heavyweight world title. His 120kg footy star son has been training for years. Here’s why he’s nervous for his boy ahead of his pro boxing debut
- Alex Leapai Jr makes his professional boxing debut in Adelaide
- Leapai Sr. says he’s a little nervous about the occasion
- The dream of teenagers is to win the heavyweight title
Former heavyweight contender Alex Leapai admits he is nervous as his football star son makes his professional boxing debut in Adelaide on Wednesday night – despite the teenager possessing immense strength and a great pedigree in the sport.
Alex Leapai Jr will take on New Zealander Joe Ageli on The Gathering Fight Night card, which will also see a host of former footy stars take to the ring in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
The hulking 122kg, 194cm tall 18-year-old made the decision earlier this year to relinquish a lucrative footy contract with the Gold Coast Titans and follow in his famous father’s footsteps.
He is incredibly well equipped to do this, having boxed for years and is so powerful that at the age of 13 he could squat a whopping 165kg.
Leapai Sr was defeated by Wladimir Klitschko in a world title fight in 2014 – and some good judges on the Australian boxing scene believe the young man will do one better than his old man.
Alex Leapai Sr (pictured right) admits he’s a little nervous about his son Alex Junior’s first professional fight on Wednesday
Leapai Jr was a rugby league prodigy who walked away from a contract with the Titans to try and become one better than his father and win the world heavyweight title
Leapai senior is confident in his son’s abilities but says he is still tense about his debut.
βI’m a bit nervous,β Leapai told Ny Breaking Australia.
βIt’s the heavyweight division and one punch can change the game.
‘And anyone who weighs more than 100 kg hits hard. But he trained hard. And he’s done. He’s ready physically and he’s mentally ready.β
Leapai Sr says the big difference between him and his son is how well the youngster expresses himself.
βHe’s a very smart guy in the way he talks. I always let the hands do the talking.
“I can tell he’s focused… but whatever happens, happens, and I know he’ll do his best.”
Leapai Jr’s trainer, Noel Thornberry, also coached his father and has been with the family for as long as the young boxer can remember.
Leapai Sr is proud of his son and says he is ready both physically and mentally
Leapai Jr.’s famous father fought boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko for the world heavyweight title in 2014 (photo)
Leapai takes on New Zealand’s Joe Ageli (pictured right) on The Gathering Fight Night card
Thornberry believes Jr. has the potential to do at least as well as his father in the fight game β and perhaps even take home the heavyweight title.
βWe’re basically family, and it’s a privilege to have a coach like Noel there, and to have dad as my mentor,β Leapai Jr. said.
“You can’t get better than that.”
Leapai Jr. is also grateful for the support of his friends, who still feel obliged to take him out of the game if given the chance.
βThey love me, but they still joke,β he laughed.
‘But that’s what friends are for. I have their full support. It’s great to have the same friends I grew up with still there.β
The Gathering Battle Night is exclusively for Stan Sportso fans need an active Stan subscription to watch the event – and you can go here For more information.
FILL THE COLLECTION BATTLE CARD
Main Event – Jamal Herring (24-4-0) vs. Jackson England (15-3-0) (Super Featherweight) (WBO Global Super Featherweight Title)
Mitch Robinson (Debut) vs. Kayne Pettifer (Debut) (Cruiserweight)
Jack Brubaker (17-5-2) vs. In Duck Seo (15-3-2) (Super Welterweight)
Kane Cornes (Debut) vs. Nathan Brown (Debut) (Cruiserweight)
Joel Camilleri (27-8-1) vs. Joel Pavlides (5-2-1) (Middleweight)
Dane Swan (debut) vs. Dale Thomas (debut) (heavyweight)
Alex Leapal Jnr (debut) vs Joe Ageli (2-1-0) (heavyweight)
Anthony Rocca (debut) vs. Corey McKernan (debut) (heavyweight)
Sergei Vorobev (20-2-0) vs. Wes Capper (22-5-1) (heavyweight)