``The Samoan Bowler’’ is Leapai’s most devastating weapon — a huge looping overhand right — and he perfected it as a fast bowler playing the Samoan variation of cricket with his four brothers.
Last night as The Courier-Mail was given exclusive access to Leapai’s final training session he rehearsed again and again the pressure tactics he hopes will break down the defence of world champ Wladimir Klitschko and leave the Ukrainian giant open for Leapai’s massive right in their Oberhausen title fight — the most important bout ever featuring an Australian boxer.
``The Samoan Bowler is not like any other punch,’’ Leapai said. ``The action comes from bowling in cricket matches under the Samoan rules. We use a bigger bat, bigger wickets and a hard rubber ball.
`I found that the same action I used for bowling made my overhand right my hardest punch and the first chance I get I’ll use it on Klitschko. If it lands flush it will break his jaw.’’
For the last 16 weeks of training the 183cm Leapai has focused entirely on ways to overcome the 198cm Klitschko’s massive advantages in height, reach and experience.
Klitschko has not lost in 10 years but last night as Leapai and trainer Noel Thornberry outlined their battle plan exclusively to The Courier-Mail both said the world champion was in decline.
``I’ve been studying Klitschko’s last fight against (2004 Olympic champion) Alexander Povetkin and he just wrestled all night,’’ Leapai said. ``He’s not the fighter he was 10 years ago and he knows it.
``Every time he tries to wrestle me I’m going to bang him to the body with both fists and bring his hands down. Pressure is the key to winning this world title.’’
For much of his life Leapai has waged an internal war as the better angels of his nature fought against his inner demons. The angels eventually won as he became a devout Christian and world-beating sportsman.
Tomorrow morning in Germany he is backing his almighty power for boxing’s ultimate victory and is convinced it will be heaven sent.
GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT UPSETS
If Alex Leapai knocks out Wladimir Klitschko on Sunday morning it will be the greatest upset in heavyweight history.
Here are the five previous milestones:
1908 Jack Johnson TKO 14 Tommy Burns. Sydney Stadium.
Johnson, the son of Texan slaves, became the first black man to hold the world heavyweight title when he overpowered Canadian Burns. Critics in those racist times believed a good white fighter would always be too smart and brave for a black man.
1919 Jack Dempsey TKO 3 Jess Willard Toledo, Ohio
Dempsey was a head shorter and 30kg lighter than Willard but pulverised him, dropping him seven times in the first round and smashing his jaw bone through the side of his face.
1937 James J Braddock W Pts 15 Max Baer. Madison Square Garden, New York
The writer Damon Runyon called Braddock the Cinderella Man after the down and out fighter outpointed boxing’s most feared slugger. Russell Crowe portrayed Braddock on film nearly 70 years later.
1985 Michael Spinks W Pts 15 Larry Holmes. Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas
Holmes was 48-0 and one win off matching the great Rocky Marciano’s all-time run of victories when Spinks frustrated and bamboozled the overconfident champ.
1990 Buster Douglas KO 10 Mike Tyson. Tokyo Dome
Douglas had beaten some hot fighters but Tyson was on a roll, crushing everything before him. The champ’s life of excess and Douglas’ devastating punches finally caught up with him in Japan, shattering his aura of invincibility forever.
EXPERT TIPS
Here’s what some of boxing’s best and bravest had to say about the most important fight in Australian history.
JEFF FENECH, three time world champ: ``If Alex goes after Klitschko he can cause a huge upset. Many fighters freeze on the big occasion but Alex has to believe that he can knock Klitschko out. If he really has a dig and attacks we will have Australia’s first world heavyweight champ.’’
JOHNNY LEWIS, trainer of six world champions: ``All it takes is one big punch. If Alex can land a big shot on the chin he can win the fight.’’
DANNY GREEN, three-time world champ: ``I wish Alex all the very best in his conquest. Having fought in Germany two times for world titles I understand the monumental challenge that awaits him. He needs to let it all hang out because he cannot outsmart or outbox Klitschko. He will need to stop him to get that belt. But Klitschko has been stopped by fighters who throw bombs like Alex. I really hope Alex wins and brings new life to the heavyweight division.’’
DANIEL GEALE, former world middleweight champion: ``I wish Alex all the best. This is a fight he can win.’’
SAM SOLIMAN, No.1 contender for the world middleweight title: ``Alex has a puncher’s chance. That means he has to throw punches. A lot of heavy, dangerous ones. If he puts a big one on Klitschko’s chin it could be all over.’’
BILLY DIB, former world featherweight champion: ``I’m wishing the Lionheart all the best in his quest for victory. He’s a real life Rocky and I believe when he knocks Klitschko out it will be regarded as surpassing Buster Douglas’s win over Mike Tyson.’’
KALI MEEHAN: former world rated heavyweight: ``Alex has to bang Klitschko to the body right from round one and keep hitting him hard every time Klitschko tries to hold. He has to believe in himself. He can cause a big upset.’’
LENNOX LEWIS, Britain’s former world heavyweight champion: “There could be a surprise perhaps. Leapai is a good challenger.’’
JOE BUGNER, world heavyweight title challenger against Muhammad Ali: ``Alex can’t let Klitschko dictate. He has to be first with his punches and drive the giant back.’’
PAEA WOLFGRAM: Brisbane-based Olympic silver medallist, lost to Klitschko in the 1996 Atlanta final: ``Alex has to get in there and make it a bar room brawl. So, go in there and throw some elbows if he has too. Tackle if he has to, too.’’
Wladimir Klitschko v Alex Leapai
Koenig Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
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