Australian boxer Alex Leapai returned home to a warm welcome in Brisbane on Tuesday morning determined he will get another chance to fight for a world title.
Leapai was the first Australian to fight for a world heavyweight title in over 100 years but was stopped in the fifth round by Ukranian champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany on Sunday.
Leapai's wife Theresa and children were the first to greet him as he walked through the gates at Brisbane's International Airport.
Around 50 supporters wearing Alex Leapai shirts stood nearby and he was greeted by Samoan singers.
Leapai, nicknamed The Lionheart, wanted to put Australian boxing on the map in Sunday's bout, but Klitschko used his reach advantage to prevent the Australian from using his hook and trademark overhand.
The 34-year-old Leapai, who got a shot at the world title after his stunning win over Russian Denis Boytsov in November last year, said it remains his dream to win the world title and he was encouraged by the support he received when arriving home.
"It is just great to see that no matter what the result, Australia still supports me," Leapai said at Brisbane International Airport.
"It's not the end of me, it's just the beginning.
"We all get knocked down, you just have to get up and keep going.
"Australia, the Lionheart will be back - bigger, badder, stronger."
Leapai concedes that on the big stage he could not match the experience of Klitschko, whose record now stands at 62 wins with 52 knockouts and three defeats.
