What’s the Buzz: Retiring Panthers NRL star Tyrone Peachey wants to fight Bulldogs’ pest Reed Mahoney

He might be on the verge of retirement but Panthers veteran Tyrone Peachey has already called out Bulldogs pest Reed Mahoney to get in the boxing ring in November.

Recently retired Penrith Panthers star Tyrone Peachey wants to fight rugby league’s most ostracised footballer, Reed Mahoney, in a boxing ring to shut him up once and for all.

The 33-year-old former Sharks, Panthers, Titans and Wests Tigers utility showed plenty of punching power in a fight this year, knocking out Fijian footy player Jeremaia Yavala in the first round.

Now Peachey’s called out Mahoney, the Canterbury Bulldogs hooker renowned for his niggling tactics and verbally baiting his rivals – with the protection of the no-punch rule.

No doubt, Peachey would have a massive cheer squad of NRL fans who would love nothing more than to see Mahoney on his backside on the canvas.

Retiring Panthers star Tyrone Peachey (right) has called out Bulldogs pest Reed Mahoney to join him in the ring. Picture: NRL Imagery

Boxing promoter Matt Rose wants to host the fight on an all-footballer card No Limit is planning for late November.

“We’re in the entertainment game and there’d be massive interest in this fight,” Rose said, “we’d love to make it happen. Reed pushes a lot of buttons on a lot of people.”

Peachey used his new podcast, Peached, to call out the Bulldogs star last week.

“We had a bit of an exchange on FaceTime when we were both on Mad Monday,” Peachey said. “It was a bit of a gee-up and we were talking s--- to each other and I said, ‘let’s sort it’. I’m looking for another fight and he’d be a good opponent.”

Mahoney is one of the most ostracised footballers in rugby league. Picture: NRL Imagery

A stack of NRL players have since contacted Peachey to encourage him to fight.

“My phone has blown up since I said it on the podcast,” he said.

“Look, it was a bit of a gee-up but If he wants to do it, I’ll 100 per cent do it.

“If it happens, it happens. And he won’t have his headgear on or front-rowers looking after him. It’s hardly Tim or Nikita Tszyu but there’d be some interest.”

Peachey is keen to have some regular fights now he has the time.

“I had a fight earlier in the year and it was a really cool experience,” he said.

“I like it because it can keep me fit and motivated. I don’t want to blow out in retirement.”

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Retiring Panthers NRL star Tyrone Peachey wants to fight Bulldogs’ pest Reed Mahoney