Boxing news: Battle on the Reef, NRL fight night, live updates, results, card, start time
Paulo Aokuso has produced one of the bravest performances in Australian boxing history, plus Tevita Pangai Jr got it done in a six-round slugfest on an incredible fight night.
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Classy Paulo Aokuso has produced one of the bravest performances in Australian boxing history, overcoming a fractured jaw to continue his unbeaten charge towards a world title on Saturday night.
Aokuso secretly suffered a hairline fracture of his jaw in sparring six weeks ago in a disastrous build-up to his bout with Argentina’s Gabriel Omar Diaz at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
Then his trainer Lincoln Hudson suffered a heart attack, with the dual setbacks explaining why Aokuso failed to make weight for Diaz, costing him the IBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title.
The Sydneysider didn’t spar for five weeks after having his jaw cracked following a session with Russian rival Imam Khataev, but Aokuso refused to pull out and showed equal doses of guts and glamour to dispose of Diaz.
Despite a nightmare preparation, ‘Sweet P’ staved off a spirited Diaz, claiming a controversial majority points decision (95-95, 98-92, 97-94) to post his sixth consecutive victory and underline his status as a bona fide world-title prospect.
It was a woeful judging result. Aukoso was clearly the superior fighter and should have won a unanimous verdict, but the 26-year-old was just relieved to emerge victorious given his drama-charged lead-in.
Jai Opetaia last year suffered a broken jaw in two places to win a world-title bout over Mairis Briedis and Aokuso (6-0, 3KO) showed similar courage to bury the weigh-in debacle that cost him his belt, $7500 and Diaz’s WBA No.10 world ranking.
“My training camp, I had a lot of setbacks,” Aokuso said after the win.
“My trainer had a heart attack and I fractured my jaw so I didn’t spar for six or so weeks.
“I’m very grateful ... I will get that belt back.”
Aokuso was expected to stop Diaz early, but given the context of his fractured-jaw saga and the loss of his trainer, he did well to outbox and outfox the Argentine.
Diaz (14-6, 6KO) landed some good shots early which tested Aokuso’s jaw, but the stylish southpaw took control from the fifth round, landing at distance with left uppercuts and staying safe with slick movement.
Aokuso landed 141 punches to Diaz’s 98, underlining his precision and output as Australia’s No.1 middleweight Michael Zerafa declared Sweet P the real deal.
“I’m a huge fan and he can go all the way,” Zerafa said in fight commentary.
“He’s had six fights but it looks like he’s gone 30.
“He had some hurdles for this fight but he will shock the world soon.”
Aokuso’s stand-in trainer, his manager Fidel Tukel, lifted the lid on his pugilist’s injury.
“People don’t realise what Paulo has gone through,” Tukel said.
“He suffered a hairline fracture of his jaw and we’ve kept it quiet the whole time.
“We had to keep it under wraps.
“For him to go into the fight with a fractured jaw, you don’t hear of many things like that in sport. It is the stuff legends are made of.
“Thankfully, there was no metal plate or wiring needed, it was just natural healing.
“They said it would take four or five weeks to heal and that was six weeks out from the fight.
“For the past five weeks, Paulo has done no sparring.
“On top of that, his trainer Lincoln suffered a heart attack, so it’s been the worst prep I have ever seen.
“Paulo didn’t want to give up the opportunity. I asked if he could still fight and he said, ‘F***ing oath I can do it.
“He said, ‘I will finish him off with no sparring’.
“Jai Opetaia had his jaw broken during his fight, but this happened to Paulo in the lead up.
“He could have easily pulled out, but Paulo is a showman and his exact words were, ‘The show must go on’.”
JASON TAUMALOLO V REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD
This was a great match-up. What a performance from RCG.
Taumalolo was the Cowboys’ hometown hero but Campbell-Gillard had the 116kg wrecking ball under siege from the outset, rocking Big Jase with some superb right hands.
Taumalolo produced a desperate flurry in the third and final round, landing with some bombs, but the Eels enforcer withstood the barrage to score a split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29).
Campbell-Gillard, who sparred with Eels teammate Junior Paulo, impressed on debut and he would be a decent match-up for Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
“Jason’s head ... I hit him with everything. His eyes were going a bit, but every time I got him he kept coming back,” Campbell-Gillard said.
“I won’t be doing this as a regular thing. If the opportunity came along, I would stick my hand up, if Jason wants round two, I would do that.
“I had the perfect training partner in Junior.
“It was good, but it’s chalk and cheese compared to rugby league.
“I got the first punch out of the way and then I settled.”
8:30PM TEVITA PANGAI JNR V FRANK AMATO
What a fight.
All eyes were on Pangai Jnr following his decision to quit the NRL to make it as a pro boxer and he was subjected to a first-up war with the tough-as-nails Amato.
Pangai Jnr prevailed. Just. He scraped home in a majority decision (57-57, 58-56, 59-56), but the NSW Origin star survived an almighty scare as braveheart Amato went toe-to-toe with his Tongan countryman in a six-round slugfest.
Both men showed incredible chins. At times, either man looked like they were going to be stopped. In the end, Pangai Jnr withstood a furious finish from Amato, who is as tough as tungsten.
Given Pangai Jnr’s inexperience, it was a solid display. Tevita showed a decent array of skills, but there are levels in boxing and Pangai Jnr has a long way to go if he is serious about going anywhere in the sport.
TPJ later challenged Amato to a re-match and pledged to prove himself in the sport after a gutsy but far from glorious performance.
“He was a tough opponent. I want a re-match,” Pangai Jnr said.
“Sometimes you can’t get the knockout, but I got the win and I want the re-match.
“I showed I have the Tongan chin of granite. Nothing can put me down.
“I will prove the doubters wrong. I don’t have an amateur background. I will be back in the gym. When others are partying, I will be training.
“Fitness is No.1. I have skill and toughness but I need to work on my fitness.”
WHAT A FIGHT 🤩 Tevita Pangai Jnr claims a majority decision win after going the distance!
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) October 7, 2023
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7:45PM - Nelson Asofa-Solomona v Jarrod Wallace (heavyweight)
No less than 37 contracts were put out to fight Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Thirty-six said no. Jarrod Wallace was brave enough to say yes.
Wallace copies Nikita Tszyu by walking out to the Vengaboys, but the fun and dancing ended quickly as Big Nelson unleashed hell on the Dolphins prop.
The 131kg monster - stepping over the top rope as ‘Big Nasty’ - made a brutal entry to boxing, dropping Wallace after just 10 seconds with a savage right uppercut.
Wallace did well to get up and went into survival mode, grabbing and wrestling ‘NAS’ at every opportunity.
We promise his teeth ARE still there 🫣
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) October 7, 2023
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Wallace managed to make it to the third round, but Asofa-Solomona eventually got his man, rocking him with a powerful jab before two brutal uppercuts sent the Origin star to the canvas.
Asofa-Solomona is a two-metre thrashing machine who could easily make it as a professional.
He later warned he had his sights set on other NRL rivals with Roosters duo Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley possible options.
Vengaboys as a walk out song, yay or nay? 🤷â€â™‚ï¸
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) October 7, 2023
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“It felt good, cool, calm and collected,” Asofa-Solomona said.
“I could see all his punches.
“This is for my dad. He passed away in 2021 and he got me into boxing. I know he is up there looking down on me.
“I got the monkey off my back now and I want to go again.
“I love boxing, I am very passionate about it.
“I have a couple of guys (I want to fight next), it’s guys I’ve had altercations with on the field.
“Everyone wants to see NRL players fight, I’d love to see guys like Joe Tapine, Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley in there.”
7:15PM - Junior Paulo v Ben Hannant (heavyweight)
Step aside Paul Gallen. Junior Paulo can become a pay-per-view boxing star.
The Parramatta monster showed he is the real deal with a savage first-round stoppage of former Queensland Origin prop Ben Hannant.
Gallen couldn’t stop Hannant last year but the 115kg Paulo had no trouble doing that, making a statement by pulverising the Polar Bear in a heavyweight mauling.
Paulo dominated from the outset, dropping Hannant with a powerful right after just 30 seconds.
Hannant just beat the count, but Paulo dropped him again a short time later.
The former Broncos prop again survived, but his corner threw in the towel towards the end of the first round as Paulo unleashed a volley of furious blows on the hapless Hannant.
It was a magnificent display from Paulo, who lost to Gallen seven years ago, but showed he has genuine boxing ability and the punching power to make it as a professional heavyweight.
“I am pretty happy with it. A lot of respect to Benny,” Paulo said.
“I set up a plan for him and I beat him to the punch.
“I composed myself after dropping him and then went after it.
Knocked down. Towel thrown. Junior Paulo drops Ben Hannant 😲
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) October 7, 2023
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“Having ring experience, it’s my third time around now, so you find ways to stay composed.
“First and foremost I’m a footy player, I’m focused on the season ahead and while I get the opportunity to jump in the ring, it keeps me fit.
“I’ll keep learning my art in boxing. We’ll see who’s next.”
6:50PM Justin Hodges v Matt Cooper
Finally, a fight that lasts longer than one round.
It’s a State of Origin showdown between former NSW centre Matt Cooper and Maroons rival Justin Hodges and the ex-Broncos skipper gets the nod following three, two-minute rounds.
The fight went the distance, but Hodges called on his experience from fighting Paul Gallen to score a unanimous points decision over debutant Cooper (30-28, 30-27, 30-27).
The Dragons legend was busier early but Hodges had more power and precision. The Maroons great kept landing with his right hand and showed more ring craft to outlast a willing Cooper, who struggled to find the mark with his punches.
Hodges later indicated he could fight on and has thrown down the challenge to Sonny Bill Williams for a possible retirement bout.
“I heard Sonny Bill is looking for one more fight so why not, if it’s one more fight let’s make it big,” Hodges said.
“The old boy might have one more fight, we’ll see.
“’Coops’ is a competitor, I know it was his first fight but he is a very tough man.
“You don’t want to underestimate your opponent, some days I woke up and didn’t want to train, but I knew the result if I didn’t.
“I feel good, I can have a beer now.”
Hands were thrown as the Origin rivalry took to the ring 😤
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) October 7, 2023
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6:22PM Jermaine Pangai v Nepote Dawadawa
The first instalment of Pangai power has arrived.
Tevita Pangai Jnr’s younger brother Jermaine has launched his professional career in style with a first-round demolition of Fijian Nepote Dawadawa.
The teenager is a monster of a man at 123kg and he destroyed Dawadawa (2-7, 1KO) with a series of left uppercuts and body shots to seal a dream debut.
The fight was called off after Dawadawa suffered a broken jaw late in the round after a huge uppercut from Jermaine.
Let’s hope the NRL stars deliver more action because the first two fights have been duds.
Jermaine was never troubled by Dawadawa and his Fijian camp called it off when the 34-year-old returned to the corner at the end of the first round.
“People think I weigh 123kg but what you saw is an 80kg boxer in a heavyweight’s body,” Jermaine said with a laugh.
“I will go back to the Logan boxing gym on Tuesday and can’t wait to see my bro.
“I think I did alright.”
5:56PM Austin Aokuso v Filimoni Naliva Jr (cruiserweight)
Gone in 60 seconds ... almost.
Austin Aokuso, the younger brother of Australia’s rising star Paulo, has continued his unbeaten run with a first-round TKO of Fijian Filimoni Naliva Jnr as the Battle on the Reef in Townsville began with a bang.
Nicknamed ‘Sugar Free’, Aokuso (6-0, 3KO) needed just 58 seconds to dispose of Naliva Jnr (7-7, 5KO), who took a knee after copping a volley of punches from the 25-year-old in their cruiserweight clash.
Aokuso has struggled to find opponents in the past year and admits he may need to drop down to his brother Paulo’s division to find better quality.
A knockout to start the night! Austin Aokuso goes to 6 and 0 🔥
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) October 7, 2023
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“That was the plan (to win early), but I was hoping for a bit more resistance,” Aokuso said.
“I might have to make my way down to light heavy to get more opponents.
“I was disappointed with that (opponent) but I’m 6-0 now so I’m happy to keep winning.”
‘DISGRACEFUL THIEF’: TPJ BLASTED BY RIVAL IN TONGAN WAR
—Peter Badel and Nic Darveniza
Tevita Pangai Jnr has been slammed as a disgrace for blaming his parents for his failed rugby league career ahead of his boxing baptism tonight in north Queensland.
Pangai Jnr’s heavyweight rival Frank Amato has fired a savage broadside at the former NRL star, labelling him an embarrassment to Tonga as the pair prepare to go to war at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
Amato’s attack came as Pangai Jnr suffered a pre-fight drama, with the Bulldogs required to urgently authorise the bout as the former Canterbury forward awaits one final monthly payment of around $60,000 on his NRL salary.
Pangai Jnr is still technically on Canterbury’s payroll until November 1, but Bulldogs bosses have given the green light for Tevita the Terminator to fight, which is music to the ears of Gold Coast slugger Amato.
Pangai Jnr retired from rugby league at the end of the 2023 season – just four months after making his NSW Origin debut – admitting that his heart had never been in the sport.
The Tongan Test representative said he had been forced to pursue rugby league by his parents and was committed to forging his own path forward in professional boxing.
That path has led him to Townsville and a fight-night showdown with fellow Tongan Amato, who blasted Pangai over his “disrespectful” attitude towards his own flesh and blood.
“I lost all respect for him because he came out and blamed his mum and dad for pushing him to rugby league,” Amato said.
“You don’t do that in a Tongan family.
“I don’t respect him for that because us Tongans, we respect our parents. It doesn’t matter what they do.
“I wish I had the opportunity he did, where my mum or dad pushed me to be the best I could be.
“My mum and dad sent me here to Australia as a 14-year-old to live by myself and I’m still proud of what they did for me.
“I would never complain.
“(His comments) were a slap in the face to our culture.”
Pangai Jnr boasts a perfect 2-0 record as a boxer and is under pressure to deliver an emphatic performance against Amato after his shock decision to walk away from the NRL to chase his title dreams in boxing.
The eight-card extravaganza in Townsville will feature a number of current and former NRL stars. Nelson Asofa-Solomona takes on Jarrod Wallace, Junior Paulo faces Ben Hannant and Reagan Campbell-Gillard is making his debut against Cowboys hometown hero Jason Taumalolo.
Meanwhile, former Broncos skipper Justin Hodges will wage an Origin-style clash with ex-NSW centre Matt Cooper before Paulo Aokuso headlines the main event against Argentina’s Gabriel Omar Diaz.
But few bouts will feature the hatred of Amato’s showdown with Pangai Jnr, who says the second-grade rugby-union battler will crack under the pressure of fighting before 4000 fans.
“You haven’t seen what you’re going to see on Saturday night with thousands of people, not just 200,” said TPJ, who is a much bigger man at 117.2kg compared to Amato’s 100kg.
“Why is (there footage) of you on TikTok getting knocked out by a cruiserweight?
“This is heavyweight boxing.”
Amato then ramped-up his verbal barrage, accusing Pangai Jnr of ripping off his former NRL clubs the Broncos and Bulldogs by failing to deliver bang for his big bucks.
“He’s going to have to look for a new job after Saturday,” Amato said.
“I don’t think rugby league would want him back because he is a thief.
“He went to the Broncos, he went to the Bulldogs.
“He takes their money but doesn’t change the person that he is.
“People look at him and think he can run through a brick wall but he’s not: he just takes, takes, takes.”
The 200cm, 131kg Asofa-Solomona says he is ready to steal the show by knocking out Wallace.
“Anyone who gets in front of me I am going to do a job on them,” he said.
“I’m ready to go. I’m really excited to show what I have been working on for the last few months.
“This is a cracking card. You won’t see too many events where there are so many NRL players fighting on the same night.”
Originally published as Boxing news: Battle on the Reef, NRL fight night, live updates, results, card, start time
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