Todd Carney says boxing debut against Chris Sandow ‘more daunting’ than NRL

TODD Carney played for three NRL clubs, NSW and Australia but he concedes there will be nowhere to hide when he makes his professional boxing debut.

HE’S tackled musclebound NRL players that have towered above him but Todd Carney says standing alone in the boxing ring will be more daunting.

The five-eighth played in an NRL grand final, represented NSW and Australia on the way to winning a Dally M medal, never taking a backward step.

Even amid the rough and tumble of a rugby league match, the 30-year-old took comfort from being surrounded by teammates.

But he will have nobody by his side when he makes his professional boxing debut against fellow rugby league star Chris Sandow on December 9 at Hordern Pavillion.

Cronulla’s Paul Gallen and will face off against Canberra’s Junior Paulo in another charity bout along with five other professional fights on the same card.

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Todd Carney prepares for his boxing debut with trainer Mark Gambin at Tszyu Boxing Academy. Picture: Brett Costello

“That is the most daunting part for me — the training part isn’t the issue,” Carney told The Daily Telegraph.

“But I have played a team sport since I was four years old. This is something new but something I am looking forward to.

“This is only my second week into it (boxing), the first week was very tough. I am sure by the night, Mark (Gambin, trainer) will have me ready. I need to lose a bit of weight to get down to the right weight but it’s all going to plan at the moment.”

They will fight at about 88kg and Carney is well aware Sandow is training intensely.

Asked why he wanted to box, Carney said: “I am back home and Chrissy called me out. I had a few phone calls about it and I’m not really doing too much so it’s good way for me to train and I am enjoying it. It is a different focus and it something I never thought I’d do but I’m excited about it.

Todd Carney prepares for his boxing debut at Tszyu Boxing Academy. Picture: Brett Costello

“It is for charity (FSHD Global and Livin) and hopefully it raises good awareness on the night. I’m sure it will be a good spectacle. The main fight between Gallen and Paulo will be good too. It’s something to do.”

Carney is desperately keen to fight but does point out boxing isn’t his future once retired.

“Never,” Carney said. “I never thought I would jump in the ring. But it’s for charity, the two weeks of training I have done now ... hats off to the way boxers train, the way they ply their life, the way they are in the ring. It’s a credit to them. I have sparred guys at training and they are tough. This will be completely different to rugby league. I will stick to that.”