Josh Papalii ready to step into the ring against Ben Hannant

Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papalii has shed the kilos as he prepares to step into the ring against former Maroons prop Ben Hannant.

Josh Papalii will get in the ring for the first time on Friday. Picture: Kaarin Helmers

Josh Papalii will enter the 2021 premiership in the best shape of his career after a punishing pre-season of boxing training has seen the Queensland Origin enforcer shave a whopping 15kg from his frame.

One of the most feared defenders in the NRL, Papalii will test his hitting power in the ring when he squares off against former Maroons prop Ben Hannant in the All Stars boxing event in Townsville on Friday night.

Papalii was originally slated to fight NSW Origin rival Junior Paulo, but the pair weren’t keen because of their Samoan ties, prompting fight promoters to summon former Broncos and Cowboys premiership prop Hannant.

At 36, Hannant will be eight years older than Papalii, but the 247-game NRL veteran is arguably fitter in retirement, having won the Noosa triathlon in the 100kg-plus division five years ago.

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NRL star Josh Papalii prepares for his fight on Friday. Picture: Kaarin Helmers

Papalii is notoriously guarded about his true weight, but it is understood the Maroons hardman has dropped more than 30 pounds in the past two months as he braces for his boxing debut.

“I don’t know much weight I’ve lost, but it’s been good fun,” Papalii said.

“It’s a bit different to my usual training for rugby league.

“It’s something I am really enjoying. It has taken my mind away from football and it’s made me a bit hungrier than most pre-seasons.

“I think this boxing training will be good for my football this year.”

Papalii is the main attraction on a six-fight card that includes current and former NRL stars.

Willie Mason will take on Broncos legend Sam Thaiday, former Brisbane skipper Justin Hodges faces Sandor Earl, Cowboys icon Matt Bowen will trade blows with Craig Gower and Scott Prince shapes up against one-time NRL bad boy Todd Carney.

But all eyes will be on big ‘Papa’, whose cousin Alex Leapai famously fought for the heavyweight world title in his loss to Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in 2014.

“Just because my cousin fights, doesn’t mean I will be a good fighter,” Papalii said.

“I always get nervous before NRL games and this is all new to me so it’s going to be a unique experience. I want to make sure I’m ready for it.

“Ben Hannant will give me a run for my money. He was always fit for a prop and post-football he is keeping fit doing triathlons and stuff like that.

“The hardest thing about boxing is that it’s a lonely journey. For seven weeks now, I’m training to go into the ring on my own.

“I’m not sure about knocking him out. I haven’t dropped anyone yet in training so there will be no one else to help me when I get in the ring.”