NRL weapon Tevita Pangai knocked out in 69-second boil over

Former Broncos star Tevita Pangai Junior has been knocked out with his future in boxing and rugby league suddenly in pieces.

Tevita Pangai’s NRL and boxing careers appear on the ropes.

The former Broncos star was on Saturday night knocked out in a 69-second, first round boil over.

Featuring as the main event in the Brisbane Boxing Showcase, staged by his own promotion company, Pangai was flattened by Kenny Niko in just over one minute.

Niko had lost all three of his only professional fights before his win on Saturday.

As first reported by Code Sports’ Peter Badel, Pangai Junior’s boxing career is “in tatters” as a result of his first career defeat in the ring.

It is a devastating blow for the former NSW State of Origin enforcer, who was this week given the cold shoulder by the Melbourne Storm.

Despite earlier this month saying he intended to make an NRL return his top priority, Pangai Junior has not ruled out having another go in the ring.

“That’s the heavyweight division, it only takes one punch,” Pangai Junior said.

“I haven’t been concussed in footy for 10 years and I have been rocked once in sparring.

“I will rebuild and go back to footy.

Tevita Pangai Jr suffers crushing first-round knockout loss to Kenny Niko in Brisbane tonight.

Pangai Jr stopped after just 69 seconds after a savage left hand from Niko, who records his first win from four fights.

Broncos stars Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan watched on. pic.twitter.com/dTURUl6vmo

— Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) May 11, 2024

“I’m not going to quit boxing (forever), hopefully I can get a rematch with Kenny and prepare a bit better.”

He went on to say: “This isn’t the end for me, I will go back to footy and see what happens.”

Pangai Junior shared a photo alongside his wife and children after the fight.

“And that’s Heavyweight Boxing,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Only takes one clean one. Thank you for everyone who bought tickets and PPV! My opponent, Kenny came ready congrats uso.

“Also thanks to all event sponsors and my personal sponsors. Back to footy and boxing for fitness. Thanks to my Wife, family, friend & my team.”

According to Code Sports, Pangai Junior was stunned with powerful left hand punch before the referee stepped in to stop the fight when Niko began to land a flurry of blows.

His career in both sports is now at a crossroads.

The 28-year-old was only 12 months ago selected to play for NSW in State of Origin in one of the most unexpected selections in recent memory.

After a lacklustre 2024 season, he quit the Bulldogs despite having time to run on his contract with the club.

His decision to turn to boxing does not appear to have been his best career move.

It comes just 24 hours after Storm CEO Justin Rodski shut the door on reports Pangai Junior could be making a move to the Melbourne club.

According to reports, Storm coach Craig Bellamy met with Pangai Junior recently, but any potential move appears to be dead in the water.

Tevita Pangai's boxing career is on the ropes. Photo: Instagram, @tevitapangaijnr.

Tevita Pangai in the ring. Picture: Supplied

Rodski told 2GB Radio that Pangai Jr’s time away from the game to pursue boxing after retiring from rugby league prevents him from being a suitable option for a mid-season signing.

“He hasn’t been playing rugby league and if we’re going to be looking at filling a gap for our list this year we needed someone that would be ready to come in and play straight away,” Rodski said.

“So I don’t think there’ll be any movement there.”

Pangai Junior’s brother and manager, David, confirmed to News Corp that there has been contact with the Storm.

“Craig Bellamy has indicated he is keen, but there’s been no offer from the Storm,” he said.

“There’s interest, but nothing is signed, so we’ll keep talking with them.”

It’s a dramatic change of heart for Pangai Junior, who walked out on the final year of his contract at the Bulldogs — said to be worth $750,000 — to pursue a professional boxing career last August.

He was adamant that he was done with the NRL and would not entertain a return... until he joined Queensland Cup side Souths Logan Magpies and had informal talks with Broncos coach Kevin Walters about a mid-season return.

That fell through and Pangai Junior is back at square one.

Originally published as NRL weapon Tevita Pangai knocked out in 69-second boil over