Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo primed to pack a punch for his boxing debut against Eels rival Reagan Campbell-Gillard

They are two of the NRL’s front-row enforcers. Now fists will fly when Cowboys ace Jason Taumalolo jumps into the boxing ring to throw down with Eels hulk Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Jason Taumalolo gets ready for his boxing debut.

Jason Taumalolo has declared he is primed for heavyweight fireworks as the Cowboys superstar prepares for his boxing blockbuster with rival NRL enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

More than 230kg of front-row muscle will collide when Taumalolo and Eels hulk Campbell-Gillard make their boxing debuts in an NRL fight night at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre on Saturday, October 7.

The star-studded fight card, six days after the NRL grand final, will also include Parramatta powerhouse Junior Paulo, ex-Bronco Tevita Pangai Jnr and Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who will face Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace.

Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo gets ready for his boxing debut next month in Townsville.

But all eyes will be on local attraction Taumalolo, who is under pressure to deliver a knockout performance befitting his power-packed 115kg frame against the 120kg Campbell-Gillard.

The Cowboys wrecking ball is renowned for skittling NRL rivals with his ferocious midfield charges, but Taumalolo admits to nerves ahead of his fight debut, saying he is wary of being dropped by ‘RCG’.

“The boxing training has been hard, but it’s a challenge I’m enjoying,” Taumalolo said, 17 days out from his boxing baptism.

“I’m definitely a bit nervous, but I’ll be ready to rumble.

“I don’t know if I’ll deliver a knockout, I might get knocked out myself, but I’ve been doing the training and I want to respect the sport by putting in the hard work.

“I’m learning a lot from the Northcoast Combat team, they are teaching me boxing techniques and certain combinations and hopefully that will help me when I enter the ring on October 7.”

Given his legendary status in Townsville, Taumalolo is expected to start favourite before a parochial home crowd that will be baying for Campbell-Gillard’s blood over three, two-minute rounds.

NSW and Eels enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard is ready for fireworks with Taumalolo.

But the Parramatta and NSW Origin enforcer is determined to silence the Townsville faithful by outlasting Taumalolo, revealing he has been training with clubmate Paulo for his six-minute reckoning in the ring.

“Jason is going to be a huge test for me,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“I wouldn’t say I’m confident of beating him, but I’m confident of going in there and doing what I do well.

“I’ve played against Jason in the NRL and he is a huge specimen.

“The way he plays is the way he is going to come out in the boxing ring.

“There is no footage of him boxing to do my homework, so on the night we’re going to find out how Jason fights.

“He is a big boy and very good on his feet.

Campbell-Gillard is wary of Taumalolo’s punching power.

“His punches are going to carry a lot of power behind them, that’s going to be one of his main strengths.

“I’m nervous, absolutely.

“It’s only going to be six minutes of work, but it’s going to feel like 60 minutes.

“I would rather run into a set line than jump into the ring with Jason, to be honest.”

Taumalolo has received the backing of North Queensland bosses and several Cowboys players are sure to attend the fight to watch their co-captain throw down with Campbell-Gillard.

“Knowing you are going into the ring and standing toe-to-toe with someone, that’s pretty daunting,” he said.

“Reagan is a big boy and I’m sure he has a lot of power in his hands.

“Boxing is a different type of fitness to rugby league, but hopefully my base from the NRL will help – it’s going to be a very even match-up.”

Originally published as Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo primed to pack a punch for his boxing debut against Eels rival Reagan Campbell-Gillard