Former NRL star Chris Sandow set to make boxing debut, calls out Todd Carney to be opponent

CHRIS Sandow has sensationally called out Todd Carney to don the gloves and jump in the ring with him as the former NRL star prepares to make his boxing debut.

Chris Sandow is set to make his boxing debut next month.

CHRIS Sandow has sensationally called out Todd Carney to don the gloves and jump in the ring with him as the former NRL star prepares to make his boxing debut.

In a promotional appearance on Thursday for a charity fight night scheduled for December 9, Sandow confirmed he would be on the card but revealed he was still short of an opponent for what’s set to be a blockbuster night at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.

Instead of waiting to see who might put their hand up, Sandow issued the challenge to fellow NRL exile Todd Carney, who is back in Sydney fighting a legal battle with the Sharks over his sacking from the club in 2014.

“I spoke to (promoters) Matty and George (Rose) before and there’s no one that wants to fight me," Sandow said at the press conference.

“I’ve seen Todd Carney’s back in town.

”It’s a good opportunity to get Todd in the ring with me.”

“... he’s here and in the same town as me, so why not get it on?”

Todd Carney shapes as a possible opponent for Chris Sandow.

The charity fight card is already brimming with rugby league stars, with Sandow joining Paul Gallen and Junior Paulo for the event.

Sandow revealed to foxsports.com.au he has been training in Brisbane for the last two weeks, putting on an additional two kilograms of muscle, as his first outing in the ring approaches.

Currently tipping the scales at 83kg however, the little halfback is desperate to find an opponent who weighs roughly the same.

“I have been doing a bit of training up in Brisbane and that since I got back two weeks ago. I’ve been doing a lot of work in England as well, so it’s been going really well,” Sandow said.

“I’m looking forward to this, it’s good to have something to look forward to and I’ve been looking forward to it for a while.”

Chris Sandow of Warrington is tackled.

Sandow revealed he would “fight anyone” willing to don the gloves against him before suggesting that Carney would fit the bill.

“I’ll fight anyone, I’m not really fussed to be honest. It’s for a good cause and stuff, so I’m just happy to get in the ring.

“I’m at about 83kg. I played at 81 all year, so I’ve put a bit of muscle on, I’ve been doing some training.

“(If someone’s around that 85kg mark) I’d be happy to jump in the ring with them. It’s exciting to get in the ring and give the crowds what they want.”

Giving the crowds what they want is exactly what Sandow has been doing on the rugby league field for the last 18 months, making an excellent fist of his move to the English Super League to play for Warrington.

Paul Gallen has already successfully transitioned from rugby league to the boxing ring.

Sandow played a pivotal role for the Wolves as they fell just short of hoisting the Challenge Cup and the Super League title, losing both grand finals and he said he harbours no desire to cut his time in the UK short.

“I was just happy to play one NRL game when I came down to Sydney. Like I said, I almost played 200 games,” Sandow said.

“I’m only 20 or so games off it, but I’m really happy with what I did in the NRL.

“Whatever happened in the past happened but like I said every one wants to play grand finals and Origins and all that stuff and there’s a lot of players that miss out.

“ ... I’ve got no regrets. You’ve just got to live with it and deal with it as a man should. I’m really happy that I left and I’m really happy.”

The writers are on Twitter @Nath_Ryan & @glover_benny

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Originally published as Former NRL star Chris Sandow set to make boxing debut, calls out Todd Carney to be opponent