Clockwise from top left: Alex Leapai Junior, Conor Wallace, Justis Huni and Demsey McKean.Credit: Aresna Villanueva
It has been 15 months since Demsey McKean stepped into the ring – 15 months since his undefeated record was blemished and his visions of world glory were dealt a crushing blow.
But “The Tower of Terror” – standing at 198 centimetres tall – reveals he never doubted his ability to make a comeback.
And the 34-year-old Ipswich product intends to use one of the year’s greatest fight cards to prove it, when boxing stars Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk clash in Saudi Arabia.
Demsey McKean punches Filip Hrgovic in a heavyweight fight at the O2 Arena in London.Credit: Getty Images
“I grieved for a couple of days, and then had to get on with it. I’m a big believer in not wasting energy on something out of your control,” McKean says, reflecting on his 12th-round loss to Filip Hrgovic.
“My stocks still went up, I fought the No.1 in the world who had been the boogeyman for the division for a long time.
“I was never out of my depth, so I proved I am world level. It was a kick up the backside to show where you’ve got to get to.”
McKean’s renaissance will not come easy, as he challenges an undefeated 19-year-old on track to be become one of the sport’s most feared.
Moses Itauma, ranked No.6 in the WBO, has a ferocious reputation – managing eight knockouts from 10 bouts, as he seeks to best Mike Tyson’s record as the youngest heavyweight champion.
But McKean sees a chance to make a statement and capitalise on two years spent in the UK sparring superstar Antony Joshua.
And he believes his rival’s ambition will prove his undoing, with victory of his own on December 11 potentially propelling him towards championship contention.
“It’s there for the taking. Just a couple of good wins, and you’re right in the mix,” McKean says.
“I feel so comfortable against any of those top guys, and so many heavyweights seem to really peak the older they get.
“I’m not done yet. He is trying to beat Mike Tyson’s record ... and I know they’re overlooking me.
“That’s when maturity comes into play, which he’s going to regret on fight night.”
As McKean (22-1-0) plots his comeback, he has taken the chance to assess one of the nation’s most promising heavyweight prospects – former Gold Coast Titans junior Alex Leapai Junior (3-0-0).
The pair engaged in six rounds of sparring in Burleigh, as the teenager prepared for his fourth bout in Penrith.
The November 20 card will feature former UFC star Tyson Pedro and recently retired Panthers utility Tyrone Peachey, and will be broadcast on Stan Sport.
Power has never been an issue for the Logan prospect Leapai Junior – the ferocity of his hits knock punching pads off hands – but his trainer Noel Thornberry believes there is more to him than raw strength.
“I would never encourage Alex to be a thug, he’s too smart,” Thornberry says.
“The power’s there, it’s God given, but everything is about boxing here.”
While Leapai Junior only made his professional debut in April, Thornberry declares the 18-year-old will not be held back, adamant he possesses more potential than any man in Australian boxing.
“He doesn’t have an amateur career to fall back on, so we have to learn on the job. The best way to do that is activity, it’s the greatest teacher known to man,” Thornberry says.
“Mike Tyson had 15 fights in his first year. I’ve been in the sport all my life, and it’s the way to develop – an active fighter is a good fighter.
“It’s one step at a time, but they’re pretty quick steps.”
The duo are just two of a dynamic contingent of heavyweights emerging from Queensland’s south-east. Another is Justis Huni.
The 25-year-old (10-0-0) has spent the two years overcoming niggling injuries that threatened his quest for international stardom.
He will fight alongside light-heavyweight stablemate Conor Wallace (14-1-0) when he trades blows with Argentina’s Leandro Robutti at The Fortitude Music Hall on December 11.
While Wallace – second in the IBF rankings – is closing in on a championship shot, Huni doesn’t dare look too far ahead.
The fifth-ranked fighter in the WBO has refused to buy into criticism about his lack of power, and stresses he would not hurry into a world title battle – instead intent on rebuilding his profile on Australian soil.
“I’m hungry to get as many fights as I can under my belt,” Huni says. “I’m hungry to get my name out there, but my time will come.”
Meanwhile, Wallace – speaking before his clash with unbeaten South African Asemahle Wellem – declares he is “not a million miles away” from wearing one of the sport’s illustrious belts.
“I want the big fights, I’ve worked my whole life to get where I am, and I’m not going to come up short any time soon,” he says.
“I wouldn’t be in this sport if I didn’t think I was good enough to win a world title. I’m only 20, and I’m in my prime now.”
Gold Coast-based IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has also been tipped for a move to heavyweight if he can unite the belts of his current division.
And Mick Francis – who manages Huni, Wallace and Opetaia – believes his fighters’ youth has them on course to forge dynasties at the top.
Justis Huni is back in action on December 11.Credit: Getty Images
“If you look around the division, you’re surrounded by heavyweights in their early to late 30s – Justis is only a baby,” Francis says.
“There’s no rush. He can be the best fighter to ever come out of Australia – he’s death by 1000 cuts … he’s the best mover in the heavyweight division we’ve ever seen.”