Ex-NRL hard man agrees to fight Roosters enforcer dubbed ‘next Paul Gallen’

Ex-NRL hard man Jaiman Lowe has agreed to take on former Sydney Roosters monster Siosiua Taukeiaho in a tantalising boxing fight.

Jaiman Lowe has agreed to fight TKO.

Former NRL player Jaiman Lowe has drawn the short straw, agreeing to take on ex-Sydney Roosters monster Siosiua Taukeiaho in a boxing fight next week.

Taukeiaho had been desperate to make his professional debut on the undercard for the Paul Gallen vs Hodges fight in Sydney next Wednesday.

Watch Gallen v Hodges 2 & Michael Zerafa‘s return to the ring LIVE on Main Event available on Foxtel & Kayo Sports, Wednesday November 23 from 7pm AEDT ORDER NOW >

The only problem was no one wanted to step in the ring with the hulking forward, until Lowe put his hand up — although he didn’t exactly know what he was signing up for.

“I actually said yes before knowing exactly who I was fighting against,” Lowe told Fox Sports.

The 39-year-old played 142 games in an NRL career that finished on a high when he won a premiership with the Melbourne Storm in 2012.

Lowe will likely be a heavy underdog against Taukeiaho, who plays for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League and was part of the Tongan team that lost to Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals.

Taukeiaho, who is aptly nicknamed ‘TKO’ for his punching power, showed glimpses of his boxing potential during his time with the Sydney Roosters, where he won two premierships in 2018 and 2019.

Siosiua Taukeiaho of Tonga poses for a photo alongside his family following the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between Tonga and Samoa. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

Former NRL player Jaiman Lowe will take on Siosiua Taukeiaho. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Back in 2019, NRL fans seemed set for a showcase of Taukeiaho’s punching power when he famously took a swing at Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the opening play of the preliminary final.

The pair were quickly separated and sin binned but now the Tongan powerhouse has been dubbed the man to take Gallen’s place in boxing headliners.

Taukeiaho and Lowe will fight on a card that also will feature the much-maligned Michael Zerafa and of course Gallen, who is fighting Hodges for the second time in what he has said will be his final fight.

With Gallen set to hang up the gloves for good and Sonny Bill Williams’ surprise loss to MMA legend Mark Hunt, No Limit’s boxing promoters are on the hunt for the next cross-code star to fill his shoes and become a pay-per-view golden goose.

They will be hoping Taukeiaho delivers some fireworks against Lowe to add his name to the list of rugby league players aiming to become the next Gallen.

Bulldogs star Tevita Pangai Jr won his second boxing fight on the Sonny Bill Williams undercard when he knocked out Jeremiah Tupai-Lui with a brutal punch, with his new coach Cameron Ciraldo watching on ringside.

Paul Gallen will fight Justin Hodges one more time before having up the gloves. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Gal is leaving the boxing game after his rematch with Hodgo, so someone has to step up to the plate,” No Limit’s George Rose told Fox Sports.

“And it’s a massive opportunity — find the next Paul Gallen on his own undercard.

“We have a fight and it’s going to be a cracker.

“I was pretty surprised somebody accepted so late … I thought out chances of getting Taukeiaho a fight were gone.

“I’ve been told to expect bombs, so I can’t wait for these two big boys to go at it.”

Gallen vs Hodges Full Fight Card (Order the pay-per-view here)

Michael Zerafa vs Danilo Creati

Paul Gallen vs Justin Hodges

Paulo Aokuso vs David Zegarra

Ty Telford vs Joel Taylor

Liam Talivaa vs Louis Marsters

Daniel Suluka-Fifita vs Bryce Jones

Shanell Dargan vs Chandi Mehra

Tommy Browne vs Jorge Kapeen

Micky Pengue vs Ben Hussain

George Peterson vs Gary Phillips

Tywarna Campbell vs Deanha Hobbs

Jaiman Lowe vs Siosiua Taukeiaho

Originally published as Ex-NRL hard man agrees to fight Roosters enforcer dubbed ‘next Paul Gallen’