‘Break your arm’: how to harness Leapai’s raw power
Murray Wenzel |
There’s a “monster lurking” in Alex Leapai Jnr as he prepares to show his NRL heroes why he turned his back on rugby league to pursue boxing history.
A spot on Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen’s Wednesday undercard will be the 19-year-old’s greatest stage in his sixth professional fight, 11 years on from father Alex Snr’s clash with Wladimir Klitschko for the undisputed heavyweight world championship.
Alex Jnr was signed to the Sydney Roosters and then the Gold Coast Titans and seemingly destined for a booming NRL career before opting to following in his father’s footsteps.
“Fighting in front of some of my footy heroes, so it’s a big night for me,” he said ahead of the Herve Silu Mata six-round bout.
“They still ask me (about playing NRL) but that footy stuff is all behind me, it’s all boxing now.”
“I had a long thought about it. Dad, he didn’t want me to do boxing; he knows how hard it is and all the sacrifices.
“But I’m 100 per cent locked in.”
The likes of Klitschko, Tyson Fury and Denis Boytsov rated Alex Snr the heaviest puncher of his generation but coach Noel Thornberry thinks the teenager hits harder.
“The average person, if you don’t now how to hold pads you could … break your arm,” Thornberry said.
“His power is next level.
“I’ve been doing this 30 years … his power’s up there with his fathers’ and you ask any of his opponents … they classify Alex as the greatest puncher of his generation and this kid’s up there with him, and perhaps even bigger and stronger.”
Leapai showed that in his New Zealand debut last September, punching Manusiu Fe’ao through the ropes in the second round of their four-round Auckland scuffle.
His winning record was spoiled by a draw against Tim Tusa in his last outing though, Thornberry admitting his man remained a rough diamond.
“The more puzzles he has to solve the more rounded he’ll become,” he said.
“As he learns he’ll know how to implement that power way, way better and then we’ll see how powerful he is and everyone will see what I see every day in the gym and that’s scary.
“There’s a monster lurking beneath and he’s going to impress.
“It’s a massive opportunity to get out there and show what he’s been working on.”
Leapai, who stays with Thornberry at his Gatton home gym during big training weeks, is on board.
“I’ve learnt a lot about myself. Boxing, it brings you out of the shadows.
“In a footy game you get tired, you pass the ball or coach takes you off.
“Boxing, it’s just you and your opponent in a war. It’s strengthened my mentality and I’m loving it.
“There’s a lot to boxing … not everything’s about power. A lot of skill and IQ and I’ll get there.”
AAP
