BoxingSpecialist2
Mentor
After pulling off an upset win over Denis Boytsov, the WBO has named Samoan/Australian Alex Leapai, 30-4-3 (24 KO) the mandatory challenger for champion Wladimir Klitschko, 61-3 (51 KO) and it seems very likely that Wladimir's next fight will be against Leapai, probably in February or March of 2014. The most likely location for the fight is in Germany, but I've also heard unsubstantiated rumours that Macau, China is being discussed as a possibility for the location of the fight.
To be honest, I've never seen Leapai fight before and although I've heard his name thrown around before here and there, I don't know much about him. However, the fact that Leapai has beaten Boytsov impresses me because I am very familiar with Boytsov and he is quite talented. Leapai is rated #29 in the world according to Boxrec, and along with his decision win over Denis Boytsov, he is known for being stopped by Kevin Johnson in 2012. Now that he is fighting Klitschko, I'll definitely check out a few of his fights on youtube...
I often read mainstream boxing forums at sites like Boxrec and Boxingscene, and for the most part it seems many American fans are criticizing this matchup and criticizing Wladimir for facing easy opponents and sub-par quality level of opposition. These comments are just so incorrect, absurd, and quite frankly predictable coming from mainstream boxing fans. The truth is, people who consistently criticize Wlad do so primarily because he is white and secondarily because he is non-American. These people can't stand the fact that the heavyweight division has, for almost a decade now, been ruled by White, non-American boxers.
Since 2005, Klitschko brothers aside, the best heavyweights have by far been David Haye, Alex Povetkin, Nik Valuev, Sam Peter, Sultan Ibragimov, Ruslan Chagaev, Chris Byrd, and Lamon Brewster and all but 1 of them (Valuev) were decisively beaten by Wlad. Wlad has beaten the best of this generation and then some, so anybody who criticizes his opposition-level is out to lunch! Furthermore, by beating Denis Boytsov, Alex Leapai has earned his shot, in my opinion. It would be nice to see Klitschko VS Wilder, Fury, or Pulev, but all the same I'm fine with Leapai and the fact that he has beaten Boytsov gives him credibility as a contender (more credibility than say Deontay Wilder has accumulated in any of his wins against handpicked and "there-to-lose" opponents).
I'm looking forward to this fight, and by many accounts, Leapai is an aggressive fighter who will bring the fight to Wlad. This should be fun while it lasts and as always, I'll be supporting Wlad big time!
To be honest, I've never seen Leapai fight before and although I've heard his name thrown around before here and there, I don't know much about him. However, the fact that Leapai has beaten Boytsov impresses me because I am very familiar with Boytsov and he is quite talented. Leapai is rated #29 in the world according to Boxrec, and along with his decision win over Denis Boytsov, he is known for being stopped by Kevin Johnson in 2012. Now that he is fighting Klitschko, I'll definitely check out a few of his fights on youtube...
I often read mainstream boxing forums at sites like Boxrec and Boxingscene, and for the most part it seems many American fans are criticizing this matchup and criticizing Wladimir for facing easy opponents and sub-par quality level of opposition. These comments are just so incorrect, absurd, and quite frankly predictable coming from mainstream boxing fans. The truth is, people who consistently criticize Wlad do so primarily because he is white and secondarily because he is non-American. These people can't stand the fact that the heavyweight division has, for almost a decade now, been ruled by White, non-American boxers.
Since 2005, Klitschko brothers aside, the best heavyweights have by far been David Haye, Alex Povetkin, Nik Valuev, Sam Peter, Sultan Ibragimov, Ruslan Chagaev, Chris Byrd, and Lamon Brewster and all but 1 of them (Valuev) were decisively beaten by Wlad. Wlad has beaten the best of this generation and then some, so anybody who criticizes his opposition-level is out to lunch! Furthermore, by beating Denis Boytsov, Alex Leapai has earned his shot, in my opinion. It would be nice to see Klitschko VS Wilder, Fury, or Pulev, but all the same I'm fine with Leapai and the fact that he has beaten Boytsov gives him credibility as a contender (more credibility than say Deontay Wilder has accumulated in any of his wins against handpicked and "there-to-lose" opponents).
I'm looking forward to this fight, and by many accounts, Leapai is an aggressive fighter who will bring the fight to Wlad. This should be fun while it lasts and as always, I'll be supporting Wlad big time!
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