The Alex Leapai Factor: Is Dr. Steelhammer’s Reign in Jeopardy? Is The Bout Sellable?
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Consider one judge was unable to give 33-0 Russian heavyweight Denis Boytsov one round in his bout against World Boxing Organization number one heavyweight contender Alex Leapai in Germany, where Boytsov lives and where he had won 30 of his 33 professional bouts. Leapai, stopped in the ninth round in his native Australia by Kevin Johnson in April 2012, had fought his first 35 bouts since 2004 in Australia, before fighting in China and then Germany. At age 34, with a record of 30 wins, four losses and three draws, Leapai is an improving and very experienced fighter, the sort of proficient power hitter who might represent upset danger to the Wladimir Klitschko’s reign. A title defense by Wladimir against Leapai is being considered for Australia in Spring 2014. If so, it would be the first world heavyweight title bout in Australia since Jack Johnson won the title from Tommy Burns by 14 round decision in Sydney, Australia, on December 26, 1908. A decision favors Leapai on his home territory, putting Wladimir in a drop and stop position.
Russian billionaire promoter Vladimir Hryunov wants to stage the bout in either Germany or Australia. Another Russian billionaire, David Traktovenko, owner of the Sydney FC Football team, is also interested in staging the bout. Kryunov staged Wladimir’s defense against Alexander Povetkin in Moscow several months ago. However, it remains to be seen how the Russian promoters would stand to gain by putting millions up for Wladimir versus Alex Leapai. It would have to be proven the international Pay-Per-View could be sold successfully enough to put Floyd Mayweather Jr. Promotions to shame. Leapai is not a household name to sell as an opponent outside of Australia. Povetkin was at least an Olympic Gold Medalist and established WBA World champion with an unbeaten record and following in the Europe and the Russian Federation.
Leapai is considered to be a possible opponent for WladimirKlitschko’s next world title defense. His brother, WBC World Heavyweight champion VitaliKlitschko, has not fought in over 16 months, and officially retired last month at age 42. Wladimir, 37 years old, also known as ‘Dr. Steelhammer’, could have trouble with Leapai. Despite, height, weight and reach advantage, Klitschko could face a different style bout with Leapai unlike Alexander Povetkin. The key difference Leapai is successful is getting inside and taking the fight to his opponent with results. Wladimir’s bout with the late Corrie Sanders proved his will could be broken by a faster and more powerful power hitter who could get inside and neutralize the size factor immediately.
The crop of hungry heavyweights like Leapai, David Haye, Robert Helenius, Tyson Fury, Deotay Wilder, Bryant Jennings, KubratPulev, Mike Perez and others signals danger on the horizon for an aging heavyweight champion with a chin which is not rock solid. If Wladimir does fight Leapai and gets past him, Wladimir still has to face the nexus of the best of the best, which remains hungry and dangerous. The WBC title, meanwhile, will be up for grabes. Alexander Povetkin, David Haye, or an any of the top names out there could win that belt and try to force a unification war. Since Leapai traveled to Germany and feasted on a 33-0 fighter, he can be considered a dangerous opponent for anybody.
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