Wallabies giant Lukhan Salakaia-Loto plans to become professional boxer
Wallabies enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has outlined his plans to start boxing – after the 201cm, 124kg behemoth takes care of the Lions. And he’s got one of Australia’s top boxers in his corner.
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Wallabies enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is ready to take the fight to the British & Irish Lions, and then into the boxing ring.
The 201cm, 124kg behemoth is keen to step in for a professional bout in the midst of his football career, following a path trodden by Sonny Bill Williams, Paul Gallen and his former Australian teammate Quade Cooper.
Salakaia-Loto met with cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia on the Gold Coast this week and was inspired.
Asked if professional boxing would appeal to him after he finishes rugby, Salakaia-Loto said: “Oh, I’d do it whilst I’m still playing. I’d be keen as.
“I’d 100 per cent jump in. I’m not going to disrespect the sport or people that do it by saying I’m gonna be a world champion or be any good at it, but it’s something that I’d love to do.”
Boxing is in Salakaia-Loto’s blood. His late father fought professionally in Auckland, and his younger brother, 20-year-old Rhyme Loto, fights in the amateur scene in Perth and Bali but is planning on turning professional soon.
“It’s been something that I’ve always enjoyed watching and enjoyed doing a bit of training, my younger brother’s actually a boxer,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“I just love the sport, and as a fan and as someone who’s seen people do it, that’s how close I am to it, you’ve obviously got to put in the work and train, but it’s something that I’d love to experience one day.”
Salakaia-Loto has plenty of boxing training under his belt and has sparred many rounds in the ring.
“There’s a reason why it’s not for everyone, because it’s so different,” he said.
“You respect the guys that do it for a living because it’s not easy.”
Like Opetaia (27-0, 21KO), who defends his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight belts against undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo on the Gold Coast on June 8.
“He’s the best fighter in the country by a country mile, he’s the Ring Magazine and IPB world champion and the best in the world in his division,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“I don’t think he gets the recognition that he probably deserves. We should all be behind him because he’s a special fighter.
“He’s an even better bloke, meeting him and him speaking about his family and how much it means to him, it was a privilege and honour.”
Opetaia is more than happy to help Salakaia-Loto prepare for any future bout.
“It’s a completely different ball game, but he’s been around boxing his whole life and he seemed pretty excited talking about it,” Opetaia said.
“Everyone should make that walk at least once in their life I reckon. Walking into the ring is completely different to anything else you can experience in any sport.
“If he wants to do it, he can come to the gym and I’ll be more than happy to help him.”
Salakaia-Loto fights in the tradition orthodox stance, and asked to name his favoured punch, he said: “The Samoan jab, the overhand right.”
Salakaia-Loto may be required to show off some of his boxing skills in July if, as expected, the Lions try to intimidate and bully the Wallabies in their three-Test series.
“If the opportunity arises and presents itself, it would be unreal to be a part of it,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“It’s our home turf. It’s an opportunity that comes once every 12 years, so it doesn’t matter who they pick, if you’re given the opportunity to represent Australia against the Lions, it’s probably going to be your only chance to do so in your career unless you’re James Slipper.
“So you’re going to throw everything at it, aren’t you?”
Salakaia-Loto, 28, has played 41 Tests for Australia.
While the lock is recovering from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of recent games for the Queensland Reds, he is hopeful of being fully fit for the iconic series.
“I feel like I’m slowly approaching that (full fitness), I feel like everything is going well in terms of that.
“You want to be able to put your best foot forward each week, and unfortunately I’ve been injured the last couple weeks, so getting back on the field is probably just my main priority. It’s a day-by-day process.”
Salakaia-Loto will be battling for a place in the second row against likely contenders Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain and Josh Canham.
The Wallabies will pick a squad late next month for their warm-up Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6.
They will then formally announce their squad for the Lions series on July 11, with the opening Test to be played in Brisbane on July 19.
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Originally published as Wallabies giant Lukhan Salakaia-Loto plans to become professional boxer
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