WORLD heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says he is willing to stand and trade power punches with Logan steamroller Alex Leapai in their historic title fight in Oberhausen, Germany next week - and that is music to the challenger's cauliflower ears.
``That's exactly what I want,'' Leapai said yesterday. "My plan is to get Klitschko into a slugfest and take him apart with my power. We think once he gets tagged he'll try to use his size and reach and stay away, but if he wants to punch on with me - bring it on.
"The heavyweight championship is the biggest thing in boxing and I've got the chance to show the world just what we can do in Australia.''
In an interview with The Courier-Mail from his training camp in the Austrian Alps, Klitschko said he would not use his vast advantage in reach and height (198cm to 183cm) to keep away from Leapai but instead was willing to stand toe to toe. Klitschko has not lost in 10 years but said he was prepared to turn the bout into a firefight to decide who was the heavier puncher.
"Leapai will try to get inside and throw haymakers,'' Klitschko said. "It's t's going to be really challenging for me unless I clinch him a lot.'' ''
On Monday, the first Australian to fight for the world heavyweight crown in 106 years brawled through six savage rounds of sparring with Romanian giant Razvan Cojanu at the Ashmore Police Citizens Youth Club on the Gold Coast.
As he has done throughout his career, Leapai refused to wear a headguard.
The pair slugged away like they were fighting for their lives in a 6m x 6m ring, exactly the same size as the ring in which Leapai will try to become the first Australian ever to capture one of the greatest prizes in sport.
The 202cm Los Angeles-based Cojanu survived some smashing body shots and a couple of huge overhand rights to declare: "Alex will be the next heavyweight champion. Klitschko can't handle that sort of pressure. He will get hit and we will see Klitschko freeze and then go backwards. Alex will swarm all over him.''
Cojanu's trainer John "Pops'' Arthur, who has coached such world champs as James Toney and Zab Judah, says Leapai's strength and power will take Klitschko by surprise.
"I see Wladimir getting clipped early,'' Arthur said. "He will get a shock. He's used to bullying opponents but Alex is going to hit him and hurt him. Klitschko doesn't fight well when he's under constant pressure.''
Leapai leaves for Germany on Saturday, with the fight to take place on the morning of Sunday week (Australian time).
Klitschko is well aware he faces a desperate opponent with a once in a lifetime chance.
"Leapai is the underdog fighting an experienced champion," Klitschko said. "I can compare him with Rocky.
"Even though Australia is very far away from Europe where the fight is going to happen, I know how much Australians are supportive of Leapai.
"He is determined, he really wants to make it happen. I look forward to an exciting night."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e-with-alex-leapai-australias-own-version-of-rocky/story-fnii0bqi-1226884214719
``That's exactly what I want,'' Leapai said yesterday. "My plan is to get Klitschko into a slugfest and take him apart with my power. We think once he gets tagged he'll try to use his size and reach and stay away, but if he wants to punch on with me - bring it on.
"The heavyweight championship is the biggest thing in boxing and I've got the chance to show the world just what we can do in Australia.''
In an interview with The Courier-Mail from his training camp in the Austrian Alps, Klitschko said he would not use his vast advantage in reach and height (198cm to 183cm) to keep away from Leapai but instead was willing to stand toe to toe. Klitschko has not lost in 10 years but said he was prepared to turn the bout into a firefight to decide who was the heavier puncher.
"Leapai will try to get inside and throw haymakers,'' Klitschko said. "It's t's going to be really challenging for me unless I clinch him a lot.'' ''
On Monday, the first Australian to fight for the world heavyweight crown in 106 years brawled through six savage rounds of sparring with Romanian giant Razvan Cojanu at the Ashmore Police Citizens Youth Club on the Gold Coast.
As he has done throughout his career, Leapai refused to wear a headguard.
The pair slugged away like they were fighting for their lives in a 6m x 6m ring, exactly the same size as the ring in which Leapai will try to become the first Australian ever to capture one of the greatest prizes in sport.
The 202cm Los Angeles-based Cojanu survived some smashing body shots and a couple of huge overhand rights to declare: "Alex will be the next heavyweight champion. Klitschko can't handle that sort of pressure. He will get hit and we will see Klitschko freeze and then go backwards. Alex will swarm all over him.''
Cojanu's trainer John "Pops'' Arthur, who has coached such world champs as James Toney and Zab Judah, says Leapai's strength and power will take Klitschko by surprise.
"I see Wladimir getting clipped early,'' Arthur said. "He will get a shock. He's used to bullying opponents but Alex is going to hit him and hurt him. Klitschko doesn't fight well when he's under constant pressure.''
Leapai leaves for Germany on Saturday, with the fight to take place on the morning of Sunday week (Australian time).
Klitschko is well aware he faces a desperate opponent with a once in a lifetime chance.
"Leapai is the underdog fighting an experienced champion," Klitschko said. "I can compare him with Rocky.
"Even though Australia is very far away from Europe where the fight is going to happen, I know how much Australians are supportive of Leapai.
"He is determined, he really wants to make it happen. I look forward to an exciting night."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e-with-alex-leapai-australias-own-version-of-rocky/story-fnii0bqi-1226884214719
