Alex Leapai announces retirement

 
ALEX Leapai has announced his retirement from professional boxing, effective immediately.

 
Leapai confirmed earlier today that his decision loss to Manuel Charr last May was his last ever appearance in a boxing ring. The likeable Logan-based heavyweight confirmed issues with his eyes as a major reason for retiring.

 
“I’m finished, I’m gone. You’ll never see ‘The Lionheart’ in the ring again,” said Leapai to the ABC.

 
“So I’ve got to get it (my eyes) fixed and he (the doctor) said that might be the last time,”

 
“I still feel that my name will echo in the next 100 years. People will still know Alex Leapai,”

 
The 36-year-old rose to prominence in 2013 with an upset decision over Denis Boytsov in Germany. The improbable win catapulted Leapai to mandatory status with the WBO, where he earned an unlikely title shot.

 
Leapai (30-7-3, 24 KOs) would go down in five one-sided rounds to lineal champion Wladimir Klitschko, who floored the Samoan-born Australian three times en route to a comfortable victory in Oberhausen, Germany.

 
Leapai retires with the support of long-time trainer and manager Noel Thornberry.

 
“He’s a father of six and health is more important than anything else,” added Thornberry.

 
“All the money in the world, all the fame is not going to help you if you’re walking on your heels.”

 
“I do believe Alex has started to pave the way for a lot of future heavyweights in Australia and Samoa and the whole south pacific,”

 
 
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images