On Wednesday night, Alex Leapai Jr showcased his impressive boxing skills with a stunning first-round knockout victory over Herve Silu Mata at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. The 19-year-old, son of renowned Australian-Samoan boxer Alex Leapai Sr, was the opening act on the much-anticipated Sonny Bill Williams-Paul Gallen card.
In the fight, Leapai Jr quickly asserted his dominance, delivering a flurry of punches that led to his opponent being knocked down midway through the round. The referee concluded the match with only 73 seconds remaining, marking an impressive addition to Leapai Jr’s professional record, which now stands at 5-0-1.
Jeff Fenech, the boxing legend and commentator, praised Leapai Jr ringside, confidently stating, “This kid’s going to be a heavyweight champion one day.” He lauded the young fighter for combining skill with knockout power, distinguishing him from other contenders. Fellow commentator Michael Atkinson acknowledged the weight of Fenech’s endorsement.
Leapai Jr’s father, Alex Sr, whose own boxing career included a world title bout against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, cheered from his son’s corner, proudly wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with “Alexanda the Great Leapai,” a nod to his son’s nickname. Fenech remarked on the supportive relationship, suggesting that Leapai Sr’s non-pushy approach has allowed his son to flourish.
Famed Australian boxer Danny Green also commended Leapai Jr, particularly highlighting his “devastating power.” Standing at 193 cm and weighing over 120 kg, Leapai Jr possesses not only impressive physicality but also tremendous potential in the boxing world. Earlier this year, he made the bold decision to abandon a contract with the Gold Coast Titans NRL team to fully pursue his boxing aspirations.
As he embarks on this new chapter, anticipation builds around what the future holds for the young fighter, who has already made a notable impact in his very first professional outing.