Alex Leapai

Elise Leapai (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.

Alex Leapai
Statistics
Real nameElise Leapai
Nickname(s)The Lionheart
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Reach190 cm (75 in)
NationalityAustralian
Born (1979-10-16) 16 October 1979
Lauli'i, Upolu, Western Samoa
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights44
Wins32
Wins by KO26
Losses8
Draws4

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 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. Wladmir 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 took the Crimea from the Ukraine and consequently, both nations were mobilising for the possibility of war in the short term.[6] Vladmir'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] As the fight Klitschko claimed the spectacle would be ever important to "boost the morale" of his countrymen.[7]

Former world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs interrupted a pre-fight press conference in Germany just days before the anticipated bout.[8] Briggs challenged Klitschko for a fight and accused Leapai of being an unworthy opponent for Klitschko.[8]

Leapai was knocked out by Klitschko in the fifth round of a fight scheduled for 12 rounds.[9] Leapai was knocked down barely more than a minute into the bout.[9] Klitschko retained his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO championship belts and used his height and reach advantage to control the fight with Leapai.[10] 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.[10]

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.[11]

On two weeks notice, Alex Leapai took a fight against former WBO champion Joseph Parker (boxer) after his deal with Eric Molina fell through during the signing stages.[12] 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.[13]

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.[14] Leapai's inspiration is fellow Samoan heavyweight boxer David Tua.[15]

Professional boxing record
43 fights 31 wins 8 losses
By knockout 25 4
By decision 6 4
Draws 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
44 Loss 31–8–4 New Zealand Joseph Parker TKO 10 (12), 2:18 29 Jun 2019 United States Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, US
42 Draw 31–7–4 Australia Roger Izonritei TD 3 (8), 2:26 13 Dec 2017 Australia Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
41 Win 31–7–3 New Zealand Thomas Peato TKO 3 (8), 2:26 14 Oct 2017 Australia Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
40 Loss 30–7–3 Syria Manuel Charr UD 10 22 May 2015 Russia Olympic Indoor Arena, Moscow, Russia
39 Loss 30–6–3 United States Malik Scott UD 10 31 Oct 2014 Australia Logan Metro Sports Centre, Logan City, Australia
38 Loss 30–5–3 Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko TKO 5 (12), 2:05 26 Apr 2014 Germany König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany For WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles
37 Win 30–4–3 Russia Denis Boytsov UD 10 23 Nov 2013 Germany Stechert Arena, Bamberg, Germany Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
36 Win 29–4–3 Mexico Felipe Romero TKO 9 (12), 1:15 9 Aug 2013 China Hengyang, China Retained WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
35 Win 28–4–3 Australia Joe Lloyd KO 1 (8), 1:18 9 May 2013 Australia Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane, Australia
34 Win 27–4–3 United States Matt Hicks TKO 1 (8), 2:42 8 Feb 2013 Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
33 Win 26–4–3 Uzbekistan Akmal Aslanov TKO 5 (12), 1:27 21 Dec 2012 China Zhuzhou Stadium, Zhuzhou, China Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight titles
32 Loss 25–4–3 United States Kevin Johnson TKO 9 (12), 2:22 1 Apr 2012 Australia Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane, Australia Lost IBF Australasian heavyweight title
31 Win 25-3-3 United States Troy Weida TKO 1 (10), 1:56 8 Dec 2011 Australia The Arena, Brisbane, Australia
30 Win 24–3–3 Russia Evgeny Orlov KO 4 (8), 1:37 21 Oct 2011 Australia Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia
29 Win 23–3–3 Uganda Okello Peter KO 3 (12) 17 Apr 2011 Indonesia Jakarta International Expo, Jakarta, Indonesia Won vacant IBF Australasian heavyweight title
28 Win 22–3–3 United States Jason Barnett KO 1 (8), 2:47 29 Jan 2011 Australia Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
27 Win 21–3–3 United States Darnell Wilson UD 8 4 Dec 2010 Australia Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
26 Win 20–3–3 Jamaica Owen Beck TKO 6 (10), 2:50 12 Aug 2010 Australia Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia
25 Win 19–3–3 United States Travis Walker TKO 4 (10), 2:52 30 Jun 2010 Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
24 Win 18–3–3 Australia Bob Mirovic KO 1 (10), 2:57 29 Apr 2010 Australia Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
23 Win 17–3–3 New Zealand Hiriwa Te Rangi TKO 1 (6), 1:11 4 Sep 2009 Australia Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club, Tweed Heads, Australia
22 Draw 16–3–3 Japan Kotatsu Takehara MD 6 31 Jul 2009 Australia Hilton Hotel, Brisbane, Australia
21 Win 16–3–2 Australia Colin Wilson KO 8 (12), 2:11 19 Jun 2009 Australia Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia Won WBO interim heavyweight title
20 Win 15–3–2 Finland Oscar Talemaira KO 1 (4), 0:56 27 May 2009 Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
19 Win 14–3–2 Fiji Oscar Talemaira KO 2 (6), 2:49 20 Feb 2009 Australia Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia
18 Win 13–3–2 South Africa Pieter Cronje UD 10 14 Nov 2008 Australia Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast, Australia Won vacant WBF Australasian heavyweight title
17 Win 12–3–2 Tonga Alipate Liava KO 5 (6) 27 Sep 2008 New Zealand Town Hall, Christchurch, New Zealand
16 Win 11–3–2 Ghana Moyoyo Mensah UD 8 5 Sep 2008 Australia Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
15 Win 10–3–2 Algeria Mohamed Azzaoui KO 2 (8), 1:11 1 Aug 2008 Australia Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
14 Loss 9–3–2 Australia Colin Wilson SD 12 27 Jun 2008 Australia Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia Lost OPBF heavyweight title
13 Win 9–2–2 Australia Michael Kirby UD 12 14 Mar 2008 Australia Kedron Wavell Services Club, Brisbane, Australia Retained OPBF heavyweight title
12 Win 8–2–2 New Zealand Nathan Briggs KO 8 (12), 2:09 30 Nov 2007 Australia Kedron Wavell Services Club, Brisbane, Australia Won vacant OPBF heavyweight title
11 Win 7–2–2 Tonga Ofa Pi Bouvalu Uluakiahoeia RTD 2 (4), 3:00 7 Sep 2007 Australia Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia
10 Win 6–2–2 New Zealand Jason Reti TKO 2 (6), 2:13 29 Jun 2007 Australia Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
9 Win 5–2–2 Fiji Oscar Talemaira KO 5 (6), 1:46 23 Feb 2007 Australia Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia
8 Win 4–2–2 Australia John Szigeti TKO 1 (6), 1:46 17 Nov 2006 Australia Magic Millions Complex, Gold Coast, Australia
7 Win 3–2–2 New Zealand Hiriwa Te Rangi TKO 4 (4), 2:46 10 Nov 2006 Australia Logan Diggers Club, Logan City, Australia
6 Loss 2–2–2 Australia Baden Oui TKO 4 (4), 0:51 19 Aug 2005 Australia Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
5 Win 2–1–2 New Zealand Vai Toevai UD 4 5 Aug 2005 Australia Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
4 Draw 1–1–2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Nermin Sabanovic PTS 6 20 May 2005 Australia Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia
3 Loss 1–1–1 Uzbekistan Yan Kulkov UD 8 3 Dec 2004 Australia Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
2 Win 1–0–1 Australia Danny Morgan TKO 8 (8), 2:42 17 Sep 2004 Australia Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
1 Draw 0–0–1 Australia Mark de Mori MD 6 30 Jul 2004 Australia Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia

Minor titles won
  • WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title
  • WBO Oriental heavyweight title
  • IBF Australasian heavyweight title
  • OPBF heavyweight title

References
  1. Burgin, Robert (24 April 2014). "Brothers in Arms". Rugby League Week, p. 36.
  2. "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. "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. "Wladimir Klitschko in Turmoil and Says Alex Leapai Fight Most Important of his Career". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  8. "Alex Leapai held back as Shannon Briggs gatecrashes world heavyweight boxing title media conference". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  9. "Wladimir Klitschko beats Alex Leapai to keep titles". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  10. "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  11. "Leapai vs Scott - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  12. "Joseph Parker may fight Alex Leapai, not Eric Molina in next bout". Newshub. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  13. "Joseph Parker makes Matchroom debut with tenth round TKO win over Alex Leapai". The Ring. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  14. "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  15. Kiwi connection to take on Wladimir Klitschko, Fairfax NZ News, dated 4 February 2014.
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