Alex Leapai's next professional bout will be a "make or break" fight, his trainer Noel Thornberry says, with the Logan boxer to take on American Malik Scott in October.
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Leapai, who lost a WBO World Heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko in April, will face Scott at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on October 24.
"It'll be a great fight and the winner is going to go on back into international contention and the loser's probably going have to sit down and evaluate where he goes next," Thornberry said.
"It really is a crossroads fight."
Nicknamed the Lionheart, the former truck driver and father of six was once jailed for assault.
Nearly a decade on, the Leapai narrative is constantly filled with references of how boxing gave him a second chance in life.
Now the 34-year-old wants a second chance at the world title after being knocked out by Klitschko in the fifth round during their fight in Germany.
"I let down all the fans and all the young kids who were watching me. I've just got to show the kids it's not the end, it's just the beginning of the Lionheart," Leapai said on Thursday.
"I just want to prove it to the kids out there - we all get knocked down but you've just got to get back up and keep going."
Leapai said he was thrilled to be fighting in front of a home crowd, and wanted his story of success to change lives.
"For me it's not just changing one, I want to change heaps. I want to change all those boys in jail and put it up there that they've got a chance in life. It's not the end," he said.
At 194cm, Malik Scott stands about 11cm taller than Leapai. The American is ranked about 20 places below the Australian and has only lost two of his 39 professional fights.
Thornberry described the 33-year-old American as a "technician", saying he would be "one of the best heavyweight boxers to ever grace the shores of Australia".
"He's a bit of a Dennis Rodman lookalike and he's a character. It'll be a hard fight and it'll be a test. It's no walk in the park," Thornberry said.
Thornberry also expects plenty of trash-talking from Scott, who has the words "I AM LORD" tattooed on his left bicep.
Scott is expected to fly to Brisbane late next week to help promote the October 24 fight.
He is currently in an Austrian training camp helping Klitschko prepare for his title defence on September 6, meaning it's likely Scott will receive tips on how to take down Leapai.
