NRL 2024 comeback: Tevita Pangai Jr in talks with Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt

Tevita Pangai Jr is one step closer to a shock return to rugby league as the former NSW Origin star looks to juggle professional boxing with an NRL revival at the Broncos.

Tevita Pangai Jr has revealed his interest in a shock comeback to the Queensland Cup as the former NSW Origin star looks to juggle professional boxing with an NRL revival at the Broncos.

This masthead can reveal Pangai Jr has held preliminary talks with Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt about a return to rugby league via Brisbane’s feeder club in the Hostplus Cup.

Pangai Jr is bracing for a busy sporting schedule in 2024, with the former NRL forward-turned-fighter attending Ipswich on Monday to formally announce his next fight on a card headlined by Australian boxing sensation Paulo Aokuso (6-0, 3KO).

The unbeaten ‘TPJ’ (3-0) will take on Kiwi Raphael Sa’u (1-0-1) at JBS Basketball Arena, the very Ipswich venue Aokuso graced playing hoops growing up at Gailes in Brisbane’s western corridor.

Pangai Jr’s heavyweight showdown with Sa’u on Saturday, March 23 will be a preamble to the Tongan torpedo eyeing a return to Souths Logan in April in the first step towards a possible Broncos lifeline.

Tevita Pangai Jr at broncos training. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt. Picture: Titans Media

Just turned 28, Pangai Jr insists he has no regrets about quitting the Bulldogs last August, but wants to show the Broncos he is genuine about an NRL comeback by starting afresh in the second tier at Souths Logan.

“I think I could do both (boxing and league),” Pangai Jr said at his fight announcement at Ipswich’s World Gym on Monday.

“I spar twice a week and I’ve played footy since I was four years old, both codes, rugby league and rugby union.

“There’s great coaching at Souths Logan with Karmichael Hunt.

“I was lucky enough to play some games for them before the Broncos bosses kicked me out (in 2021).

“I have a lot of respect for Karmichael and Justin Hodges (Souths Logan assistant coach).

“’Hodgo’ was a great competitor so I will probably go back to Souths Logan, hopefully get some wins, and then after that I’ll look to play some footy (for the Broncos in the NRL).”

Asked if regrets walking out on his $750,000 Bulldogs deal to earn one-tenth of that in boxing, Pangai Jr said: “No, how much money do you need?

“I am happy at the moment. I have enough money to pay the bills and I thank my wife and my family for supporting me in boxing.”

After snatching a majority-decision win in a six-round war with Frank Amato last October, Pangai Jr accepts there are critics who believe he will be an over-hyped flop in the fight game.

But the 118kg powerhouse is taking his new pursuit seriously. Pangai Jr has gone into a six-week camp, briefly moving out of his family home - he sees his two kids once a week - to focus on stopping Su’a in his fourth career bout.

“This shows I have enough money to pay for my own camps,” Pangai Jr said with a laugh.

“My wife has kicked me out of home to work hard. I’m in camp on my own. I see my family on Sundays.

“I know there’s a lot of good heavyweights in Australia that I can be matched with. I am slowly building and giving the sport the respect that it deserves.

Tevita Pangai Jr will thrown down on the same card as Australian boxing sensation Paulo Aokuso. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I am preparing as hard as I can for this next bout.

“This guy (Su’a) is no slouch. He will come and play his grand final against me. He is going to try and take everything from me and use my profile to push his.

“He has everything to gain and I have everything to lose. It will be a tough fight but I’ll be ready.”

The Ipswich card will be headlined by Aokuso, the classy light heavyweight eyeing a seventh straight win against Emmanuel Danso, a tough-as-nails 34-year-old from Ghana with just seven losses from 42 fights.

Aokuso has failed to make weight in his last two fights but rubbished suggestions he doesn’t take the sport seriously. He lifted his shirt to reveal a chiselled six pack.

“My hunger is still there,” he said. “This time around there’s no excuses, I will be on weight and I will show people what I can do.

“It will be good to put on a performance for my people here in Ipswich. I used to play basketball here for Easts.

“I have the talent and I have the skills. The goal doesn’t change, I want to get that world title.”

Originally published as NRL 2024 comeback: Tevita Pangai Jr in talks with Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt