Alex Leapai fought for the heavyweight world title. His 120kg footy star son has been training for years. Here’s why he’s nervous for his boy ahead of his pro boxing debut

Former heavyweight contender Alex Leapai admits he is nervous about his football star son making his professional boxing debut in Adelaide on Wednesday night, despite the teenager having immense power and pedigree in the sport. .

Alex Leapai Jr will take on New Zealand’s Joe Ageli on The Gathering Fight Night card, which will also see a host of former football stars take to the ring in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

The burly 122kg, 194cm 18-year-old made the decision earlier this year to walk away from a lucrative football contract with the Gold Coast Titans and follow in his famous father’s footsteps.

He is incredibly well equipped to do so, he has boxed for years and is so powerful that he could squat an incredible 165kg when he was only 13 years old.

Leapai Sr was defeated by Wladimir Klitschko in a 2014 world title fight, and some good judges on the Australian boxing scene believe the youngster will do better than his father.

Leapai Jr was a rugby league prodigy and abandoned a contract with the Titans to try to surpass his father and win the world heavyweight title.

Leapai Sr has full faith in his son’s abilities, but says he is still nervous about his debut.

“I’m a little nervous,” Leapai told Daily Mail Australia.

‘It’s the heavyweight division and one punch can change the game.

‘And anyone weighing more than 100kg hits hard. But he has trained hard. And he is ready. He is physically and mentally prepared.”

Leapai Sr says the big difference between him and his son is how well the young man expresses himself.

“He is a very intelligent child because of the way he speaks; I always let my hands do the talking.”

“I can tell he’s focused… but whatever happens, happens, and I know he’ll do his best.”

Leapai Jr’s trainer, Noel Thornberry, also trained his father and has been with the family for as long as the young boxer can remember.

Leapai Sr is proud of his boy and says he is prepared both physically and mentally

Leapai Jr’s famous father fought boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko in 2014 for the world heavyweight title (pictured)

Leapai will face New Zealander Joe Ageli (pictured right) on The Gathering Fight Night card

Thornberry believes Jr has the potential to do at least as well as his father in the fighting game and perhaps take home the heavyweight title.

“We’re basically a family, and it’s a privilege to have a coach like Noel there and to have dad as my mentor,” Leapai Jr. said.

“There is nothing better than that”.

Leapai Jr is also grateful for the support of his friends, who still feel obligated to take the mickey out of him when they get the chance.

“They’re excited for me, but they still make jokes,” he laughs.

But that’s what colleagues are for. I have all your support. It’s great to have the same friends I grew up with still there now.’

The night of the gathered fight is exclusive to Stan Sportso fans will need an active Stan subscription to watch the event, and you can head over here for more information.

FILL OUT THE MEETING FIGHT CARD

Main Event: Jamal Herring (24-4-0) vs. Jackson England (15-3-0) (Super Featherweight) (WBO Overall Super Featherweight Title)

Mitch Robinson (debut) vs. Kayne Pettifer (debut) (cruiserweight)

Jack Brubaker (17-5-2) vs. In Duck Seo (15-3-2) (super welterweight)

Kane Cornes (debut) vs. Nathan Brown (debut) (cruiserweight)

Joel Camilleri (27-8-1) vs. Joel Pavlides (5-2-1) (middleweight)

Dane Swan (debut) vs. Dale Thomas (debut) (heavyweight)

Alex Leapal Jnr (debut) vs. Joe Ageli (2-1-0) (heavyweight)

Anthony Rocca (debut) vs. Corey McKernan (debut) (heavyweight)

Sergei Vorobev (20-2-0) vs. Wes Capper (22-5-1) (heavyweight)