Leapai: If De Mori Let's Hands Go, Has Good Chance To Stun Haye
Jan 12, 2016 • 4:56 AM ET
By Edward Chaykovsky
Former world title challenger Alex Leapai had his pro debut against a 5-0 Mark De Mori in 2004 and they went to a six round majority draw.
De Mori (30-1-2, 26KOs) has gone unbeaten for nearly ten years and has a top ranking under the WBA. This Saturday night he steps in the ring for his biggest test when he faces former two-division world champion David Haye (26-2, 24KOs).
De Mori is an 11-1 underdog in the contest. Leapai is giving his former opponent a puncher's chance in the fight.
Haye is returning for the first time since a knockout win over Dereck Chisora in July of 2012.
Leapai knows what it's like to be an underdog. He was the mandatory challenger to then champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. On that occasion the odds were correct with Klitschko easily wiping out Leapai.
To win this fight, Leapai is advising De Mori to step into the fire and let those hands fly. De Mori can punch and Haye's chin has been rattled in past fights. After such a long layoff, there is no telling what version of Haye will come along.
"I know he’s a big underdog but I think if de Mori is aggressive and gets in Haye’s face and lets those big heavy punches go he has a very good chance," Leapai said to Fox Sports.
"De Mori is a heavy puncher and he has a puncher’s chance against anyone. But he’ got to really get stuck in and land them. Haye is fast and tricky and he has power as well, but he doesn’t like pressure. When he fought Wladimir Klitschko for the world title (in 2011) he couldn’t cope with Klitschko’s pressure."
