Nearly a decade before he fought for world glory, as the birth of his son neared, Alex Leapai Senior sat in a prison cell praying.
By his own admission, he had been in an alcohol-fuelled spiral before he was charged over an altercation with two bouncers outside a nightclub.
Six months in jail transformed him, and changed how he wanted his children to see him. It is something he still thinks of as his son, Alex Leapai Junior, prepares to make his own name in the boxing ring.
Alex Leapai Senior in 2014, while in training for his heavyweight title bout against Wladmir Klitschko.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve been sober now for 19 years. I made a promise I won’t drink because I didn’t want my kids to see what I was like,” Leapai Senior told this masthead.
“Going to jail was the best thing for me. It really opened my eyes and heart, and I found peace and Jesus Christ in prison – I prayed for a second chance.”
Upon his release, Leapai Senior set about conquering the boxing world, taking him to a fifth round defeat in a unification heavyweight championship bout with Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko.
But he was already 26 when he left Woodford Correctional Centre, and doesn’t want his son losing precious time in the pursuit of his dreams.
Alex Leapai Junior celebrates a win against New Zealand’s Manusiu Fe’ao in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
In fact, the Leapai camp feels the 126-kilogram rising star – who left an NRL deal at the Gold Coast Titans to box full-time – will contest his first world title by that age.
“I know in my heart he’s going to be better than his dad,” Leapai Senior said.
“I believe my son is the perfect heavyweight everyone has been waiting for. When I was 18, I don’t know how I would’ve handled this type of pressure, and this kid has everything – he’s determined, he wants to reach his goal.
“He’s mentally strong – I wouldn’t have even got in the ring. There’s going to be some bumps on the road, but that’s when dad has to be there.
“Once the world sees what he’s got, everybody will be saying his name.”
Alex Leapai Senior on his son
Leapai Junior shocked many when he left the Titans, despite being regarded as one of rugby league’s most promising forwards.
“It’s funny, it was his last game in Newcastle … and he was just terrorising the front rowers, and then he announces he’s finished. I said ‘come on mate, what kind of stuff is that?’” Leapai Senior laughed, adding that he believed his son would be welcomed back if he chose to return to the NRL.
“As a father, I’ve just got to support what decision he makes, and I’m just going to be there to enjoy the journey with my son.”
After winning his opening four professional bouts – three by TKO – the 19-year-old heavyweight has his next fight on Wednesday on the Tyson Pedro undercard, broadcast on Stan Sports.
Leapai Junior’s preparations were disrupted, with his coach Noel Thornberry revealing the boxer’s initial rival withdrew after experiencing seizures.
Tim Tusa has now stepped up, and Thornberry is adamant Leapai Junior will again make his presence known.
Leapai Junior is expected to fight eight times this year, in a run of contests to include the undercard of George Kambosos’ Sydney clash in March.
Having also mentored Leapai Senior, Thornberry said Leapai Junior had a combination of power and natural skill that could make him “one of the leading heavyweights in the world” by his mid-20s.
“Alex can fight anybody in the world over one or two rounds, but in eight, 10 or 12 rounds it’s a different story. He hasn’t matured to that stage yet … but the only person who punches anywhere near as hard as him was his father,” Thornberry said.
“I don’t like comparing father and son, but his classical boxing skills are far superior. It was extremely hard to beat Alex Senior because he was a thug, and he was very good at being a thug.
“Junior has got the thug, but is also a pug and can box, and when he needs to get in the trenches he can do that … but he needs to get comfortable inside the ring and comfortable inside himself.”
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