Leapai vs. Scott in doubt after broadcaster withdrawal

 
IN the past week, the make-or-break heavyweight bout between Australia’s former world title challenger Alex Leapai (30-5-3, 24 KOs) and enigmatic American Malik Scott (36-2-1, 13 KOs) has hit a number of hurdles.

 
First, Leapai, 35, suffered a leg injury several days ago, which forced event promoter Thornberry Promotions to postpone the event by a week, pushing the event back to October 31st – while also changing venue – with the Logan Entertainment Centre pencilled in as the new host.

 
The postponement was met with several teething issues, as the previously stacked card lost its highly anticipated support bout when the promoter made the decision to cut the seemingly ill-fated Australian super middleweight title fight between undefeated prospects Jake Carr and Renold Quinlan.

 
Given the short turnaround, the decision to switch venues only days before the event was puzzling as the distance between the two is far from ideal, with a near forty kilometre buffer sitting between the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the initial host, and the Logan Entertainment Centre.

 
In addition to this, the card has suffered a third and possible fatal blow with event broadcaster Main Event and its supporting Fox Sports Venues making the decision to withdraw its involvement with the event, irrespective of any further postponements or additions to the card.

 
While no official announcement has been made, Aus-Boxing understands that the cancellation of the event is imminent as the primary source of funding had been received from both the broadcaster as well as advertising from companies expecting to receive exposure on national television, which will no longer be the case.

 
The possibility remains for the card to be run without a broadcasting partner, however, in that instance it appears more than likely that the card will run at a major loss to the event promoter.

 
 
Photo: Getty Images AsiaPac