Manly winger Jason Saab wants boxing match with Dragons back Zac Lomax

Jason Saab could be the next footy player to step into the boxing ring.

Jason Saab training with Sea Eagles teammate Josh Schuster at Final Round Gym. Picture: Supplied

Jason Saab is eyeing up a fight with former Dragons teammate Zac Lomax, as the Manly flyer aims to become the next NRL star to cross over to boxing.

Saab has been training at Final Round boxing gym in Liverpool, where Sea Eagles teammates Josh Aloiai and Josh Schuster both train, and where Joey Leilua prepared for his 2021 bout with Chris Heighington.

Lomax was on the opposite wing for the Red V when Saab scored twice in his NRL debut in 2019. The pair later formed a dangerous attacking partnership on the right flank for the Dragons for four games in 2020, before Saab signed with Manly in 2021.

Saab wants to have a boxing match before the end of the year. Picture: Supplied

Despite spending time at the same club, Saab wants to make his professional boxing debut against his old Dragons teammate.

“I know Saab is very interested in fighting Zac Lomax,” No Limit boxing CEO George Rose told this masthead. “I’d be happy to put on a fight like that.

“It’s just a case of whether Zac Lomax wants to step in with Jason, because Jason has made it very clear that he wants him.”

Saab started boxing training two years ago to build confidence after going through a tough patch in the NRL.

Now he wants to test himself in the ring before the end of the year.

Saab started boxing training as a way of building his confidence. Picture: Supplied

“It’s made a massive difference, and over the last six months to a year, you can see it in him,” his boxing trainer Hassan El-Achrafi told this masthead. “He’s rangy, he’s got really smooth footwork and floats around – really light-footed.

“He’s conscientious in his technique and he wants to learn, he doesn’t just want to throw hands. He focuses on the small details.”

Lomax is a long-time boxing fan and a regular at fight nights around Sydney.

In April 2021, he even sat in the corner holding the bucket and a water bottle as his mate Tyler Sargent-Wilson scored a win on the undercard of Paul Gallen’s knockout of former heavyweight world champion Lucas Browne.

“Zac’s always been interested in fighting,” Rose said. “He’s always been a big supporter of Australian boxing.

“He always turns up, enjoys the shows and loves throwing hands himself.”

Lomax worked his mate Tyler Sargent-Wilson’s corner in 2019. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Saab missed the first two months of the 2023 NRL season after rupturing his ACL late last year.

He was in electric form last weekend, scoring a hat-trick against the Warriors in Auckland. Despite his three-try tally, Manly’s heartbreaking 29-22 loss likely signals the end of their season.

Meanwhile, Lomax’s struggling Dragons are in a battle with the Tigers for the wooden spoon, having lost their last four games.

Originally published as Manly winger Jason Saab wants boxing match with Dragons back Zac Lomax