NRL star Matt Lodge boxes with journalist Tyson Jackson ahead of first professional fight
It may have been labelled a light sparring session between a rugby league enforcer and a journalist - but nothing about the right hooks of Matt Lodge are light, writes TYSON JACKSON.
NRL
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Many rugby league players have fantasised about it, but Matt Lodge got to turn the dream into reality: punching a journalist right in the face.
Lodge is the latest NRL star to embark on the now well-travelled path to boxing, and after a rough sparring session at PCYC Blacktown with the 29-year-old, I can confidently, and painfully, say he is on the right track.
Ahead of his first fight on Sunday, Lodge showed why he is risking his tough man persona in the squared circle.
“I get to do it my way, and do it how I want to do it, learn the sport properly, and surround myself with good people,” Lodge said.
Some fans will raise an eyebrow about Lodge preparing to launch his fists of fury in the ring given his chequered history.
In 2015 he was arrested at gunpoint after a violent home invasion in New York, and was sentenced to community service and treatment for anger and alcohol abuse.
Lodge is aware there is nothing he can do to change some people’s minds about him.
“There are three types of people, some that are more than happy to give me a second chance, some are a bit on the fence, and others it doesn’t matter what I do, they’re not coming around,” Lodge said.
“I did what I did, I am what I am.
“I have four boys now and a family, I’m happy with where I’m at.”
As the now professional boxer loaded up with body shots which sent my stomach turning for hours, it was clear he had taken his transition seriously.
With a low stance and a powerful right hook, Lodge is not wanting to be in the ring for a long time, with his quick closing a nightmare to deal with.
The front-rower is also not a fan of copping a hit.
In the best punch I landed all day, a right hook to the side of Lodge’s head, the former Manly enforcer gave me a sinister smile and made me pay with a barrage of lethal right and left hooks to my ribs and abdomen.
Lodge has spent the last eight weeks travelling over an hour from his home in the Northern Beaches to Blacktown, where he grew up.
Lodge first laced up a pair of boxing gloves as a youth at the PCYC and it’s where he has now honed his craft.
Lodge is hoping he can help the youth of the area avoid making similar mistakes to what he did.
“When I was 18 and I got in trouble I didn’t have any of those life experiences, now I can use mine to steer some other people in the right direction,” Lodge said.
“I used to come here for wet weather sessions for footy when I was 12. So to come and train here, now fight out of here, it’s good, I enjoy it.”
Building a fortress with Aussie boxer turned promoter, Ricky Colosimo, Lodge is hoping his experience with me in the ring, and his opponent Alex Ale at Bella Vista hotel will start a successful boxing career.
As one of the headliners for Wanderer promotions fight night, Lodge will follow in the steps of his sister Katilyn, who fought to a draw on Wednesday night.
Lodge is still without a rugby league club for 2025, but is expected to sign a deal following his first professional fight.