Joint Media Release with Bernie Ripoll MP, Shadow Minister for Sport and Member for Oxley

The federal Labor Opposition joins with all Australians getting behind Alex Leapai, the first Australian in more than a century to fight for the unified world heavyweight boxing title.

“Lionheart” Leapai from Slacks Creek in Logan City, Queensland, will go in as the underdog against current champion Wladimir Klitschko from Ukraine, who hasn’t lost in a decade.

“This is a huge deal for Australian boxing and something we have waited more than a hundred years to see”, said Bernie Ripoll, Labor’s Shadow Minister for Sport.

“The odds are stacked against him but that will mean nothing when the bell is rung”.

“When Alex steps into the ring on Sunday all of Logan will be behind him”, said Jim Chalmers, his federal Member for Parliament.

Leapai’s is the ultimate comeback story, following brushes with the law and time in jail. A combination of training, family and faith has turned his life around.

“Alex is a big, powerful symbol of the best of our community’s tenacity and fighting spirit”, Chalmers said.

“His story of perseverance and redemption is something most people in our local area can relate to in one way or another.”

“Alex’s life says to every kid in every corner of our community that no obstacle is too big.”

Coverage of the bout will begin at 6am, Sunday 27 April EST.