Leapai’s chance to set things right

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ALEX Leapai, Australia's real life Rocky, says the power of his spiritual redemption will overcome the huge physical advantages of Wladimir Klitschko, the giant world heavyweight champion he challenges in Oberhausen, Germany on Sunday morning (Australian time).

The 112kg father of six says his primary motivation for the fight is not the multimillion-dollar purses that awaits if he is successful, nor the chance to make history as Australia's first world heavyweight champ. But rather the opportunity to finally atone for the shame he brought on his parents when he was sent to jail in 2005 for assault.

"Every night I was stuck in jail I would say my prayers and promise The Lord that when I got out I would do everything I could to make my parents proud of me," Leapai said on Tuesday after arriving in Dusseldorf to finish his preparations for a fight that will be beamed live to 150 countries.

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Leapai will train at 1am each day in the lead-up to the most important fight in Australian history with his primary tactics to stay low in a crouch, use plenty of head movement to slip punches and keep close to Klitschko.

At 183cm Leapai plans to nullify the 198cm champion's long-range blows and land his own short-range hooks and uppercuts to set up his massive overhand right.

He sees the world title as his ultimate salvation.

Leapai admits he damaged his family's reputation badly when he went to jail.

"My father was so embarrassed he wouldn't come out of his room for a week," he said.

"Now I've got the opportunity to make up for all that. The world heavyweight title will be a gift to my parents."

Leapai poses with his father Elisaia during a sparring session in Brisbane earlier this month. Source: Getty Images

Leapai arrived in Germany late on Sunday night aboard a Boeing 777 but after hundreds of his family and friends farewelled him at Brisbane airport with Samoan songs and prayers he was walking on air.

He fought back tears as the big crowd of well-wishers gave him a standing ovation as he headed to the boarding gate. He cuddled his children, kissed his wife Theresa and then raised his fist to the heavens to acknowledge his Christian faith for bringing him so many blessings.

On board the flight to Dusseldorf were Leapai's father Elisaia, mother Leitu, four brothers, assorted aunts, uncles, friends and supporters.

In 2005 Leapai was sentenced to four years in prison for a cyclonic assault on four bouncers at a Caxton St nightclub.

Already banned from rugby league for threatening a referee and with his chance to play for the Cowboys ruined, Leapai sank into a whirlpool of alcohol, marijuana and rage when he went into the city looking for trouble.

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"My uncle had been thrown out of the nightclub and had been hurt badly," Leapai said.

"He had grazes down his face and all down his arm.

"I was young and stupid and I went to the club looking for the bloke who'd hurt my uncle. One of the bouncers said 'f… off mate or the same will happen to you'.

"I should have walked away but I ended going bang, bang and dropping two of them. Then another two of them ran in and I went bang, bang again. I belted four of them and one got really badly hurt. It was a stupid, stupid thing to do."

The man Leapai must beat to claim the belt, Wladimir Klitschko hits the speed ball at training. Source: Getty Images

So stupid that Leapai spent six months in the high security Woodford Correctional Centre north of Brisbane.

"Jail is a horrible place," he said.

"I couldn't trust anyone in there — the only friend I had was The Lord and I spoke to him all the time asking for another chance to make something of myself.

"When I get in there against Klitschko I will be making up for all the mistakes I made in my life. And I will make my family proud. That's a promise."

Catch all the action from the big fight LIVE in HD Sunday, April 27 at 6am AEST

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