Rugby league and boxing are two of the toughest, arguably the two toughest sports in the world. Win, lose or draw, it takes a lot of guts to do either sport at any level.
Plenty of NRL players have stepped into the boxing ring for cross-training or unofficial charity fight nights, while a few have taken the plunge into the pro boxing ranks.
Some boxing purists criticise those that do. They argue that NRL players are usually fairly average boxers who detract from the sport, gaining undeserved publicity over other genuinely talented boxers who get very little media exposure. There is also a criticism that footballers generally ‘cherry-pick’ their boxing opponents.
Both of those arguments are true to some extent. But there are also plenty of average pro boxers out there as well, and many boxers of all ability levels also ‘cherry-pick’ their opponents. This often happens early in their careers, especially if they plan to have a long career. You can’t have a war every time you fight and expect to stay healthy.
As long as they pick the right match-up, there is a place in pro boxing for NRL players who want to have a go. They provide publicity for boxing as a sport. And with the right opponent, their fights can be entertaining, just like any boxing match can be.
They can also be ordinary to watch, just like it would be if stars in other sports tried their hand at rugby league. There is nowhere to hide in an individual sport like boxing, unlike team sports. Everything a boxer does is magnified.
Below is a list of relatively recent NRL players to have taken the plunge, along with their pro boxing record.
Anthony Mundine (47-7)
He has easily been the most successful of them all, and he had a great boxing pedigree with his father being the legendary Tony Mundine (80-15-1). Of course, Anthony has the re-match with Danny Green coming up in February, even though both are past their prime.
Solomon Haumono (24-3-2)
He has been successful, though lost to rising New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker in his last bout earlier this year.
Billy Johnstone (21-6)
The former Canterbury, St George and Gold Coast hooker turned strength and conditioning guru was a pioneer who successfully combined the two sports in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Joey Williams (12-3-1)
The former Canterbury halfback has compiled a creditable record.
John Hopoate (12-5)
He won the Australian heavyweight title just two years after stepping into the pro ranks.
Monty Betham Jr (8-1)
The former New Zealand Warriors captain also has a good boxing pedigree, being the son of Monty Betham Sr (43-10). He has also compiled a creditable record.
Sonny Bill Williams (7-0)
Once he recovers from his Achilles tendon injury, expect the calls for a match-up with Paul Gallen to get louder and louder.
Jason Williams (6-2)
The former Canberra prop – not to be confused with his namesake winger who played Test football for New Zealand in the early 1990s – had some success.
Paul Gallen (5-0)
Instead of having a relaxing off-season celebrating Cronulla’s first premiership victory, he is in training for his sixth pro fight next month.
Other NRL players have been less successful – Carl Webb (0-1), Paul Whatuira (0-1), Blake Ferguson (0-1), Lance Thompson (2-1) and Anthony Watts (1-1).
Whether they have been successful or not, hats off to all of these current and former NRL players for having the guts to step in the boxing ring.
Womblat
Guest
No-one came near him. Especially on the field.
Womblat
Guest
Herb Narvo. Best of all. Apart from Anthony Madigan... and I don't even like Union.
BigJ
Roar Guru
different sports mate but I totally understand your point, the league needs to get back to its glory hard days and fast
Norad
Guest
Herb Narvo. Jets. The Australian heavyweight champion
Norad
Guest
So tonight all the media that relentlessly bagged NRL to ban punching & shoulder charges is going big hype on the UFC title fight. So NRL violence is bad and UFC violence is ok.
KerryA
Guest
The great Ambrose Palmer was the mentor of former featherweight world champ Johnny Famechon. Maybe Mundine's a bit silly after all.
KerryA
Guest
Thank you for that article about Tony Madigan. I became a fan of the boxing game in the late 1950's so it brought back memories.
Inspector Mellville
Guest
Snowy Baker won a Silver Medal in the 1908 Boxing Final along with a Gold Medal with the Australian Rugby Union @ the same London Olympic Games!
Chook
Guest
Lacked the brains...is more accurate
Jason
Guest
No one comes close to Mundine when it comes to crossover sportsman in this country, played league for Australia at schoolboy level and under 19's, at senior level represented city and NSW before retiring age just 24, was the highest paid player in the world's premier League competition for years. As a boxer 2 x WBA super middleweight champ, along with IBO middleweight, interim WBA light middleweight and WBC silver super welter weight, more importantly 4 years ranked in the top 3 by Ring Magazine, the most of any Aussie born boxer. I remember the press conference for Mundine v Geale II, Mundine claimed no one has done what I've done in two sports, Mundine's long time nemisis was there Paul Kent who disagreed, when Mundine said "who" Kent responded, Ambrose Palmer, Mundine said never heard of him. Ambrose Palmer was a Aussie rules player and boxer of the 30's and early 40's, he played just 83 1st grade games in 11 seasons (reserve grader) and reached the lofty heights of Australian titlist as a boxer ( something Mundine acheived in his 5th fight). Even Paul Kent had nothing. Only Bo Jackson can claim to match Mundine.
MAX
Guest
Indubitably correct.
concerned supporter
Guest
What about rugby union player, Tony Madigan. Fought Cassius Clay (M Ali) in semi final of light heavy weight division. Madigan got beaten 60 - 57 points.Won 2 gold medals in the Commonwealth Games.These were the days of amateur Olympics.An interesting piece on Madigan on the links below. http://oztypewriter.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/madigan-man-who-fought-ali-twice-and.html
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I'd argue that Mundine as low as I rate him achieved much more in two completely different sports than Hayne did. Mundine went from being a star to being a superstar. Hayne went from being a superstar to being a feel good story that lasted one season.
BigJ
Roar Guru
ok ill bite who is snowy baker? Jarryd Hayne only played eight games and who are all the rest????
peeeko
Roar Guru
snowy baker? jarryd Hayne? sav rocca? ray lindwall? one of the thornett brothers? mike cleary? elyse perry?
BigJ
Roar Guru
Boxing should be glad that Mundine switched sports after the retirement of Kostya Tszyu he has single handledly kept boxing the main stream and made many people careers, Green, Geale, Soliman and Wood to name a few. Without him boxing would not be a prominate as it is today. He is the most succesful crossever athlete Australia has ever seen ( this give me an idea for another list). So boxers should be happy when thye come to fight it bring attention to the sport.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Garth Wood is another I forgot to mention. He compiled a creditable 12-4-1 record, including the big upset of Mundine after winning "The Contender".
John Coomer
Roar Guru
That would have been an additional motivation for many I'm sure, but no doubt that guts are a prerequisite for anyone stepping in the ring.
Ray
Roar Rookie
I can still remember being in a pub in North Qld and watching Carl Webb on TV in an undercard bout on a Mundine card a few years back. There was plenty of hype about Webb and he looked to have some boxing ability but he gassed up badly and ended up getting stopped in 3 rounds. No interchange bench in boxing...
peeeko
Guest
having the guts? or needed the money?