As Alex Leapai Jnr prepares to go global, trainer Noel Thornberry's mind flashes back to a boxing bout at the Mansfield Tavern 20 years ago.
It was at that intimate outer-Brisbane venue that Thornberry first laid eyes on Leapai's father, Alex Snr.
The raw heavyweight lost his third professional bout, over eight rounds, on points to Russian Yan Kulkov.
Thornberry was in Leapai's corner for his next fight and 10 years later, in 2014, they fought for a heavyweight world title.
Son Alex Jnr, one of six children, came along and 10 years after that world title loss to Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, it's the 120kg teenager with a 210cm wing span under the bright lights.
"I don't think people have realised just yet what's there and don't see what I see," Thornberry told AAP ahead of the 18-year-old's clash with Manusiu Fe'ao at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre.
"Alex Snr lost that fight at the Mansfield Tavern to the Russian amateur champ.
"It was his third pro fight, I wasn't with him then. Me and (brother) Ricky looked at each other and I said 'he could probably fight for a world title if he took it really serious'.
"I see the same thing in Junior.
"The realisation (of his potential is) still settling in because he's only scratching the surface and he makes heaps of really accurate observations too, on style and tactics.
"I'm pleasantly surprised by that, because not everyone can do that."
Leapai, a gun schoolboy rugby league talent contracted first to Sydney Roosters then Gold Coast, turned his back on an NRL career earlier this year.
He's since fought twice and travelled to Saudi Arabia with training partner and Saturday's headline act, New Zealand Olympic bronze medallist David Nyika, to train with Tyson Fury.
Nyika, himself a genuine cruiserweight world title prospect, will fight American Tommy Karpency on a card televised around the world on British sports streaming platform DAZN.
Leapai recently sparred with fellow undefeated Queensland heavyweight Justis Huni, ranked No.6 in the WBO, over four rounds.
"All these trips, experiences, I'm manifesting them and it's something I wouldn't be able to experience if I was still playing footy," Leapai told AAP.
"Justis; he's fast and accurate ... throws punches in bunches but it was all good.
"I respect Justis but every person in there, they've got two arms, two legs and a heartbeat.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in myself ... I'd still be playing footy."
Thornberry acknowledges there is a long road ahead and says there was little choice but for Leapai to turn professional, because nobody was willing to fight him as an amateur.
"He was 15, 16, and 110kg. Who's putting their 15-year-old kid in with him," Thornberry said.
"His last amateur fight in Nerang he was 15 and fought a 20-year-old, stopped him in second round.
"So we start him slowly, keep him active and he learns on the job.
"Absolutely I feel fortunate (to be coaching him) but it's like it's always been there.
"I've been with Alex since before he was born. I've known all of his kids, since they were babies.
"So it was always part of the plan, and I think he's exceptional."
