Kevin Johnson brutally beats Alex Leapai to grab IBF Australasian heavyweight gold - Boxing News
In an unsuccessful and quite humiliating title defence, Alex Leapai, the former IBF Australasian heavyweight champion, lost his gold via ninth-round technical knockout decision to Kevin Johnson, the former WBO Oriental heavyweight champion, in a 12-round
skirmish on April 1, 2012.
The event was promoted by Noel Thornberry of Thornberry Promotions and the ring for the extravaganza was stretched at Doomben Racecourse situated in Ascot, Queensland, Australia. The above bout headlined the event whereas the non-title skirmish between Todd
Kidd and Joel Dela Cruz co-headlined the Sunday night show.
Alex, 32, was entering in his career’s 32nd bout with the ambition of nailing Kevin Johnson to move up in the rankings so as to take on the rulers of the division, the Klitschko brothers.
But all his dreams, ambitions, and hard work got shattered in fact truly battered by the American top ranked Kevin Johnson. Alex was the one being considered as the favourite since he had experience in his gear but all that experience faded away when Johnson
greeted him with his mind-blowing jabs.
Kevin was entering in his career’s 28th bout and boasted 25 wins, 11 of them by knockout. The most intimidating factor that the world number 15 heavyweight had in his resume was the bout with Vitali Klitschko. A flawless resume and the expertise of taking
on number one men in the division were considered as the most pivotal weapons in Johnson’s arsenal.
Widely known as the ‘Kingpin’, Kevin immediately got back on the win streak by collecting a knockout win over Charles Davis. Since then he nailed three pugilists with much experience by either knockout or unanimous decision. In addition, the former number
one WBC heavyweight contender possessed a substantial height advantage that allowed Kevin to cover more area and thus throw fists at a considerable distance.
Alex, on the other hand, though boasted numerous wins yet did not skirmish any top calibre pugilist in the division. The bout started and initially Alex showed impressive agility, resilience and presence of mind.
Leapai, also known as the Australian ‘Lionheart’, amid the chants and roars of his home crowd started battering Kevin but the latter did not allow him to do so for long since Johnson came up with an effective game plan and started executing it.
After the initial round face targeting, Kevin changed his aim and started battering Alex’s body. In the ninth round Alex eventually lost all his breath and after the standing nine count his corner men asked for the bout to be halted. The request was promptly
accepted and Kevin won the battle via technical knockout hence becoming the new IBF Australasian heavyweight champion.
Kevin now has 26 wins in his resume and 12 of them by knockout whereas Alex has collected his career’s fourth defeat and second via knockout.
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