Alex Leapai Jr gloves up for second professional boxing fight
Alex Leapai Jr has the brains, brawn and skills to be a world heavyweight champion but first he has to win his next pro fight. Find out how you see the teenage sensation in action here.
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Everything about Alex Leapai Jr screams future world champion.
Weighing in at around 120kg and standing at 193cm tall the 18-year-old is physically imposing, strong and powerful.
He is also a highly analytical and disciplined student of the ‘sweet science’ according to his trainer Noel Thornberry said.
“Discipline over anything, discipline is what keeps you consistent,” Thornberry said of what he looks for boxer.
“You have to keep going and learning every day, not every day is a great day so you have to have that discipline to get up and do what you know you need to do whether you want to do it or not.
“Young Alex is really, really quite good – he’s very disciplined.
“He’s got that discipline and he’s a good analyst. We sit down at the end of everyone critiques them in a positive manner.
“He sees a lot of things and he takes everything on board.”
Earlier this year Leapai Jr, who had contracts with Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans, gave away what could’ve been a promising league to pursue boxing full-time.
Ten years ago his father Leapai Sr became the first Australian in more than century to fight for a world heavyweight title when he squared off with Wladimir Klitschko.
Leapai Sr was soundly beaten in Germany all those years ago but despite the result he will forever be an important part of Australian boxing history.
Ahead of his second professional fight in a month’s time there is a genuine belief that Leapai Jr can go one better than his father.
“Alex (Jr) is a force of nature,” Thornberry said.
“He is like his dad but much bigger and he is quite a good boxing.
“He is learning all the time, he has only had the one pro fight but he certainly has the potential and the mindset to go all the way.
“We are going to try feed him the Mike Tyson diet where he just stays active.
“Activity really helps to develop a young boxer, footballer, athlete of any sort.
“Staying active, learning and getting comfortable performing in front of crowd under the pressure of a professional boxing match.”
Leapai Jr will be one of the headliners on Thornberry’s next fight night in July.
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