‘At peace’: Jacob Loko eyes up boxing switch as he details turbulent career and conversion to Islam

Eight years after his NRL career ended, Jacob Loko is considering a professional boxing debut as he details his conversion to Islam.

Former NRL bad boy Jacob Loko is eyeing up a professional boxing move eight years after his promising footy career ended.

The former Eels centre was touted as a future great when he burst on to the scene in 2011 but injury and a series of off-field issues derailed his progression.

Now 31, Loko has turned his life around, won his amateur boxing debut and wants to see how far he can go in the ring.

“I caught the boxing bug three years ago and have been training ever since,” Loko said after his split-decision win.

“It’s a good challenge, it’s scary. You need a bit of fear in your life.”

Former Parramatta Eel, Jacob Loko, just won his amateur boxing debut on the undercard of Bilal Akkawy’s comeback fight. #NRL#Boxingpic.twitter.com/JCh2Wbjito

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) November 24, 2023

Asked whether he wanted to one day follow in the footsteps of former footy players-turned-professional boxers Sonny Bill Williams and, Loko said: “Eventually. I did play professional footy, so I know what it takes to get to that level.

“I’ve just have to be consistent with it. With a bit more experience, hopefully I can land something.”

An SG Ball and under-20s standout for Parramatta, Loko made his NRL debut for the Eels as a teenager and was immediately labelled the “next Sonny Bill”.

An ACL injury ended his debut season before he re-injured the same knee, ironically, in a pre-season boxing session.

After a move to the Bulldogs in 2015, Loko was charged with high-range drink driving and months later was involved in a highly publicised brawl with Jorge Taufua outside a Sydney pub.

Loko’s debut season came to an early end when he ruptured his ACL against the Broncos. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Bulldogs eventually severed ties with the troubled star when he was arrested in possession of ecstasy at the Star Casino.

Loko said he spent years thinking about what might have been but finally came to terms with his mistakes after converting to Islam in January last year.

“I had many regrets with how I lived,” he said. “I had no guidance. I never had a father and we never had any money.

“So I sort of went into a spiral when I did get a bit of money after high school.

“Converting to Islam has given me that discipline outside of sport. Back in the day, I didn’t have that. It keeps me level-headed.”

Loko made a brief reserve grade comeback with Blacktown Workers in 2018 but is now content with playing bush footy for the Thirlmere Roosters in the Group 6 competition.

Loko in action for Thirlmere Roosters this year. Picture: John Appleyard

Playing alongside fellow NRL exiles Curtis Scott, who was ringside for Loko’s boxing debut, and Tim Simona, the Roosters won the premiership this year when they beat the Camden Rams 28-26.

He still enjoys footy but said his days in the NRL were over.

“I’m just working and training twice a day, working on the craft,” he said of his boxing switch. “It’s very strenuous but you have to keep busy.

“I do cable installation, working for an electrician company. We install power, connecting them up to data centres – light rail, trains and all that.

“It’s good work and I love it. Everything’s going good.

“I could have nothing in this world but if I have my religion, I’m set. I’ll die happy.

“Money and all that stuff, it’s just surface stuff. When you have your heart in something spiritual, the sky’s the limit.

“I’m so at peace.”

Originally published as ‘At peace’: Jacob Loko eyes up boxing switch as he details turbulent career and conversion to Islam