Todd Carney set to make professional boxing debut against Chris Sandow

MAYWEATHER v Pacquiao, Tyson v Lewis, Ali v Frazier ... Carney v Sandow! The former Dally M winner has all but agreed to fight the former Souths and Eels halfback.

FORMER Dally M Medal winner Todd Carney is set to make his professional boxing debut against Chris Sandow early next month.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Carney has all but agreed to fight the former Souths and Parramatta halfback in a charity fight night at Sydney’s Hordern Pavillion on Friday, December 9.

And it can also be revealed that Parramatta forward Peni Terepo is set to make his boxing debut on the same card.

Sandow and Carney are still trying to find a suitable weight division but it is understood they will meet in the ring at around 88kg.

Todd Carney has all but agreed to face Chris Sandow in a charity boxing bout.

Carney has not signed a contract to fight yet but officials hope to make an announcement sometime this week.

The anticipated Sandow-Carney bout would just about steal the limelight from another high-profile rugby league bout on the night — Cronulla’s Paul Gallen against Canberra’s Junior Paulo.

Carney has not fought professionally before but has always held a desire to box.

Sandow called out Carney last week at a press conference.

“I have seen Todd Carney, he’s back. It’s a good opportunity to get Todd in the ring with me,’’ Sandow said. “Why not get it on? I’m not calling him out but he is here (in Sydney). Be good for him to get in the ring, the crowd would love it. Why not’.’

Sandow called out Carney at a recent press conference. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Carney is 17cm taller than Sandow and weighs about 91kg, while Sandow comes in at 86kg. Like the Gallen-Paulo fight, Sandow and Carney would fight three two-minute rounds.

The fight night will raise funds for charity.

Carney is keen to return to the NRL.

One source close to the fight said: “Toddy and Chrissy are both just competitions — they both have a ‘jump in the ring and have a go‘ attitude.’’

Officials are still trying to nail down Terepo’s an opponent. Paulo is certainly taking his fight seriously. The giant former Eels prop is preparing for an intense five-day training camp.

Junior Paulo and Paul Gallen will go to war in December. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Gal is a smart fight, he’s tough and never goes away. He keeps coming at you. I have to match it with him and be smart. I will have to knuckle down in the five weeks left before the fight,‘’ Paulo said.

Gallen will back up again on December 23 for a fight against Queenslander Ryan Waters at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

The Paulo bout is dangerous for Gallen.

A defeat could damage his chances of a huge home crowd to Shark Park a fortnight later.

“That’s the risk I am taking,” Gallen said.

Tickets for the December 9 fight are now on sale through Ticketek. The fight night will also be shown live on Fox Sports.

There will be five other fights on the card which are all fully sanctioned and professional.

Originally published as Todd Carney set to make professional boxing debut against Chris Sandow