Why Jason Taumalolo hasn’t turned back on Tonga ahead of fight night in Townsville

Jason Taumalolo insisted he had not prioritised his fledgling professional boxing career over representing Tonga against England later this month. Find out the reason behind his decision.

Jason Taumalolo ahead of the Battle on the Reef Fight Night in Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney / Fightr Promotions

Jason Taumalolo insisted he had not prioritised his fledgling professional boxing career over representing Tonga against England later this month.

A year ago Taumalolo captained his island nation at the Rugby League World Cup but was a conspicuous absence from Kristian Woolf’s squad this week.

Tongan officials included Taumalolo in a list of players who were not medically fit for the three match series beginning on October 22 – despite entering the ring for his professional boxing debut against Reagan Campbell-Gillard two weeks earlier, on the Battle on the Reef fight night in Townsville.

The timing raised questions over whether the Cowboys co-captain had made a choice between boxing and Tonga.

“Not at all,” Taumalolo said.

“Woolfy has taken some pressure off me, given that I have had a big year with knee surgery and trying to look ahead.

“I have four more years on my contract and this boxing fight has kept me fit for the majority of my off-season.

“After this I’ll put my feet up and have a bit of a break before I start pre-season.”

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys co-captain Jason Taumalolo trains ahead of his October boxing bout at Battle on the Reef Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney / North Queensland Toyota Cowboys

Taumalolo said taking the international window off would not signal a decrease in his availability for Tonga going forward.

“I know next time I get the opportunity to play for Tonga, next year or whenever that is, I’ll definitely 100 per cent be playing,” Taumalolo said.

“I’ve just given this year a break, given the big year I’ve had with my knees requiring surgery.”

Taumalolo’s focus will be on Parramatta and New South Wales enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who will also make his professional debut in the ring at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Saturday evening.

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys co-captain Jason Taumalolo trains ahead of his October boxing bout at Battle on the Reef Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney / North Queensland Toyota Cowboys

The veteran Cowboy expected a different atmosphere to his standard fare at Queensland Country Bank Stadium but backed north Queensland fans to make their support known.

“Seeing some former teammates (Tevita Pangai Jr and Ben Hannant) and some of the guys I play against week-in, week-out has been an eye-opener,” he said.

“To be on a card which features a world title fight, you can’t ask for a bigger stage to be fighting on. I’m excited and it’s going to be a great night not only for rugby league fans but boxing.”

AOKUSO READY TO TEACH NRL STARS BOXING LESSON

PATRICK WOODS

Australian boxer Paulo Aokuso will headline the Battle on the Reef in Townsville on October 7, 2023. Picture: Alix Sweeney / Fightr Promotions

The NRL stars featuring at the Battle on the Reef will deliver bruising haymakers and brutal knockouts, but headline boxer Paulo Aokuso is ready to remind people what a real fight looks like.

The 26-year-old southpaw will take on Argentina’s Gabriel Omar Diaz with the IBO Intercontinental Light-Heavyweight Title going home with the winner.

Aokuso has started his career in the ring 5-0, including three knockouts, and said he would teach the rugby league players a thing or two about boxing.

“I want to show them how to really box, and what boxing is really about,” Aokuso said.

“It’s different to rugby league, you don’t have teammates to back you up.”

Omar Diaz enters the bout with a 14-5 record but this will be his first professional fight outside of South America.

Yunieski Gonzalez (l) is punched by Paulo Aokuso during the light heavyweight bout on March 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Argentinian started boxing when he was 10 and he now uses the sport as a means to support his family.

He said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to claim the light-heavyweight title.

“Honestly, I have no idea about the rugby thing. I just came here prepared to box, and to get the title home,” Omar Diaz said through a translator.

“I’m ready to fight and you’ll see that Saturday. I came here just with my coach to get those titles and belts back home. We did 15,000km to get here, we’re not going to do this in vain.”

A confident Aokuso said he was expecting to knock his opponent out and encouraged the NRL fighters to “just go in there and swing.”

“I’m here to make a statement and that’s what I do,” Aokuso said. “This is massive for me. I’m going to put on a show for you guys.”

Originally published as Why Jason Taumalolo hasn’t turned back on Tonga ahead of fight night in Townsville