Leapai dreams of boxing glory

Leapai crumpled into a foetal ball last year when his father died suddenly but one of the heaviest punchers in world boxing has rebuilt himself for another shot at a world title.

He faces giant Nigerian Roger Izonritei at about 5pm this afternoon on the huge Jeff Horn-Gary Corcoran undercard from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The day is packed with poignancy, not least by the fact that Horn’s heavily pregnant wife Jo will be ringside and one of Australia’s top obstetricians will be there on standby in case she goes into labour.

Leapai is fighting for one last shot at glory after a year trying to smother his grief with Mesquita, is trained by Pete Stokes, a man with terminal cancer who is in a race to develop a world champ while he still can.

Tully Olympian Paul Fleming has been one of Australia’s most skilled fighters for a decade but after 24 consecutive victories, he knows he has to step up if he wants to fight the very best in the world. He faces tough Filipino Vergil Puton this afternoon.

Since the death of his father Elisaia, Leapai had corrective surgery to mend his poor eyesight which had troubled him throughout his career.

After months of mourning he decided on a massive weight loss campaign and to focus on the future for his wife and six children.