Alex Leapai

Last updated

Alex Leapai
Born
Elise Leapai

(1979-10-16) 16 October 1979 (age 45)
Lauli'i, Upolu, Western Samoa
NationalityAustralian
Other namesThe Lionheart
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Reach190 cm (75 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights44
Wins32
Wins by KO26
Losses8
Draws4

EliseLeapai (born 16 October 1979) is a Samoan Australian former professional boxer. His career highlight was a fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring magazine and lineal heavyweight titles.

Contents

Early life

Leapai's parents, Faataui and Leitu, moved their family from Laulii, Samoa when he was 7 to New Zealand, where they lived until he was 12. In New Zealand, Leapai attended Owairaka Primary School in Mt Albert and played rugby league for Marist Saints, as did his one-time sparring partner Sonny Bill Williams. Upon moving to Australia, Leapai's family settled in Logan, Queensland. In Logan, Leapai played junior rugby league for Logan Brothers alongside future Australian rugby league and rugby union international Lote Tuqiri. While playing for Brothers, Leapai was offered a scholarship with the National Rugby League side, the North Queensland Cowboys. [1] [2]

Leapai has four brothers, Leati, Stefano and Faatni (known as Leroy), who spent four years with the London Broncos in the Super League. [1] His cousin is Australia and Queensland representative Josh Papalii.

Professional career

Alex Leapai defeated Denis Boytsov on 23 November 2013 in Germany. Boytsov was the WBO's mandatory challenger for Wladimir Klitschko, but when Leapai defeated Boytsov, Leapai was named mandatory challenger even though the Boytsov-Leapai bout was not an official elimination bout. [3]

Dan Rafael for ESPN.com reported on 3 February 2014 that "Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will make his 16th title defense when he faces Alex Leapai, one of his mandatory challengers, on 26 April in at the König-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, as K2 Promotions announced Monday. The Klitschko and Leapai camps had agreed to a deal several weeks ago, which allowed them to avoid a purse bid, but it has now been signed. Leapai (30–4–3, 24 KOs), 34, a native of Samoa living in Australia, came out of nowhere to be appointed as the mandatory challenger by the WBO after scoring a major upset." [4]

Leapai vs. Wladimir Klitschko

Despite the fact that Klitschko possessed an overwhelming advantage over his challenger, the Ukrainian was quoted as saying the bout was "the most important fight of my career" due to the political backdrop of the encounter from a Ukrainian point of view. [5] Early in 2014 Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and consequently, both nations were mobilising for the possibility of war in the short term. [6] Wladimir's brother Vitali Klitschko was preparing to run for the Ukrainian presidency in looming May elections and the 37-year-old title holder admitted boxing was second in his mind to the political upheaval in his homeland. [5] Vitali would be elected Mayor of Kyiv in 2014. [7] Klitschko claimed the spectacle of the fight would be ever important to "boost the morale" of his countrymen. [8]

Former world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs interrupted a pre-fight press conference in Germany just days before the anticipated bout. [9] Briggs challenged Klitschko for a fight and accused Leapai of being an unworthy opponent for Klitschko. [9]

Leapai was knocked out by Klitschko in the fifth round of a fight scheduled for 12 rounds. [10] Leapai was knocked down barely more than a minute into the bout. [10] Klitschko retained his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO championship belts and used his height and reach advantage to control the fight with Leapai. [11] Leapai reportedly rattled his opponent once in the fight before Klitschko responded with a flurry of blows that eventually dropped the Australian to the canvas. [11]

Career after world title shot

In his next fight, Leapai fought Malik Scott. Leapai lost the fight via unanimous decision, losing 100–90, 99–91 and 98–92 on the scorecards. [12]

On two weeks notice, Alex Leapai took a fight against former WBO champion Joseph Parker after his deal with Eric Molina fell through during the signing stages. [13] Leapai went on to lose after a tenth-round stoppage. Despite protests from Leapai, the referee Ricky Gonzalez stopped the fight after Parker landed seven straight punches to the head of his opponent. [14]

Personal life

Leapai is married to his high school sweetheart, Theresa, and has six children. Four daughters (Cyanne, Maria, Menime and Ivona) and two sons (Alex and EJ). [2]

In 2005, Leapai spent six months in Queensland's Woodford Correctional Centre on a grievous bodily harm charge after attacking two bouncers. [2]

An avid rugby league fan, Leapai supports the Brisbane Broncos. [15] Leapai's inspiration is fellow Samoan heavyweight boxer David Tua. [16]

Professional boxing record

43 fights31 wins8 losses
By knockout254
By decision64
Draws4
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
44Loss31–8–4 Joseph Parker TKO10 (12), 2:1829 Jun 2019 Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, US
42Draw31–7–4Roger IzonriteiTD3 (8), 2:2613 Dec 2017Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
41Win31–7–3Thomas PeatoTKO3 (8), 2:2614 Oct 2017Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
40Loss30–7–3 Manuel Charr UD1022 May 2015 Olympic Indoor Arena, Moscow, Russia
39Loss30–6–3 Malik Scott UD1031 Oct 2014Logan Metro Sports Centre, Logan City, Australia
38Loss30–5–3 Wladimir Klitschko TKO5 (12), 2:0526 Apr 2014 König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, GermanyFor WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
37Win30–4–3 Denis Boytsov UD1023 Nov 2013 Stechert Arena, Bamberg, GermanyRetained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
36Win29–4–3Felipe RomeroTKO9 (12), 1:159 Aug 2013 Hengyang, ChinaRetained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
35Win28–4–3Joe LloydKO1 (8), 1:189 May 2013 Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane, Australia
34Win27–4–3Matt HicksTKO1 (8), 2:428 Feb 2013Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
33Win26–4–3Akmal AslanovTKO5 (12), 1:2721 Dec 2012 Zhuzhou Stadium, Zhuzhou, ChinaWon vacant WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles
32Loss25–4–3 Kevin Johnson TKO9 (12), 2:221 Apr 2012 Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane, AustraliaLost IBF Australasian heavyweight title
31Win25–3–3Troy WeidaTKO1 (10), 1:568 Dec 2011The Arena, Brisbane, Australia
30Win24–3–3Evgeny OrlovKO4 (8), 1:3721 Oct 2011Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia
29Win23–3–3 Okello Peter KO3 (12)17 Apr 2011Jakarta International Expo, Jakarta, IndonesiaWon vacant IBF Australasian heavyweight title
28Win22–3–3Jason BarnettKO1 (8), 2:4729 Jan 2011Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
27Win21–3–3 Darnell Wilson UD84 Dec 2010Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
26Win20–3–3 Owen Beck TKO6 (10), 2:5012 Aug 2010 Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia
25Win19–3–3 Travis Walker TKO4 (10), 2:5230 Jun 2010Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
24Win18–3–3 Bob Mirovic KO1 (10), 2:5729 Apr 2010Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
23Win17–3–3Hiriwa Te RangiTKO1 (6), 1:114 Sep 2009Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, Tweed Heads, Australia
22Draw16–3–3Kotatsu TakeharaMD631 Jul 2009Hilton Hotel, Brisbane, Australia
21Win16–3–2Colin WilsonKO8 (12), 2:1119 Jun 2009Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, AustraliaWon vacant WBO Oriental interim heavyweight title
20Win15–3–2Oscar TalemairaKO1 (4), 0:5627 May 2009 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
19Win14–3–2Oscar TalemairaKO2 (6), 2:4920 Feb 2009Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia
18Win13–3–2Pieter CronjeUD1014 Nov 2008 Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, AustraliaWon vacant WBF Australasian heavyweight title
17Win12–3–2Alipate LiavaKO5 (6)27 Sep 2008 Town Hall, Christchurch, New Zealand
16Win11–3–2Moyoyo MensahUD85 Sep 2008Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
15Win10–3–2 Mohamed Azzaoui KO2 (8), 1:111 Aug 2008Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
14Loss9–3–2Colin WilsonSD1227 Jun 2008Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, AustraliaLost OPBF heavyweight title
13Win9–2–2Michael KirbyUD1214 Mar 2008Kedron Wavell Services Club, Brisbane, AustraliaRetained OPBF heavyweight title
12Win8–2–2Nathan BriggsKO8 (12), 2:0930 Nov 2007Kedron Wavell Services Club, Brisbane, AustraliaWon vacant OPBF heavyweight title
11Win7–2–2Ofa Pi Bouvalu UluakiahoeiaRTD2 (4), 3:007 Sep 2007Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia
10Win6–2–2Jason RetiTKO2 (6), 2:1329 Jun 2007Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
9Win5–2–2Oscar TalemairaKO5 (6), 1:4623 Feb 2007Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia
8Win4–2–2John SzigetiTKO1 (6), 1:4617 Nov 2006Magic Millions Complex, Gold Coast, Australia
7Win3–2–2Hiriwa Te RangiTKO4 (4), 2:4610 Nov 2006Logan Diggers Club, Logan City, Australia
6Loss2–2–2Baden OuiTKO4 (4), 0:5119 Aug 2005 Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
5Win2–1–2Vai ToevaiUD45 Aug 2005Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
4Draw1–1–2Nermin SabanovicPTS620 May 2005Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia
3Loss1–1–1Yan KulkovUD83 Dec 2004Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
2Win1–0–1Danny MorganTKO8 (8), 2:4217 Sep 2004Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
1Draw0–0–1 Mark de Mori MD630 Jul 2004 Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia

Minor titles won

References

  1. 1 2 Burgin, Robert (24 April 2014). "Brothers in Arms". Rugby League Week, p. 36.
  2. 1 2 3 "The story of world heavyweight championship contender Alex Leapai - Boxing News". 8 February 2014. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  3. "Leapai installed as Klitschko Mandatory". ESPN. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  4. Dan Rafael (2014). ESPN, 3 February 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Other News | Wladimir Klitschko v Alex Leapai: Title Fight Preview". www.sportal.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. "The Russian Invasion of Ukraine | Foreign Policy Research Institute". www.fpri.org. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. "Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko: From the boxing ring to Ukraine's war". BBC News. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  8. "Wladimir Klitschko in Turmoil and Says Alex Leapai Fight Most Important of his Career". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Alex Leapai held back as Shannon Briggs gatecrashes world heavyweight boxing title media conference". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Wladimir Klitschko beats Alex Leapai to keep titles". BBC Sport . BBC. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports . Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  12. "Leapai vs Scott - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  13. "Joseph Parker may fight Alex Leapai, not Eric Molina in next bout". Newshub. 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  14. "Joseph Parker makes Matchroom debut with tenth round TKO win over Alex Leapai". The Ring. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  15. "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports . Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  16. Kiwi connection to take on Wladimir Klitschko, Fairfax NZ News, dated 4 February 2014.