Gold Coast Titan and Queensland Origin representative Jarrod Wallace has won his boxing debut by decision, defeating Nick Timm, who was also making his debut.
The two fighters exchanged blow over the four rounds and while neither could land a knockout blow, Wallace managed to knock his opponent down late in the final round, in a moment which proved decisive.
*TO SEE THE FULL FIGHT AND EVENT, YOU CAN PURCHASE IT HERE AT EPICENTRE.TV*
Speaking before the fight, Wallace said that the training he undertook ahead of the bout had seen him return to the training with the Titans in the best shape of his career.
“I wasn’t expecting to get as fit as I have from just boxing. It is a brutal sport but I wanted to take myself and my body where I’d never been before.
“I am way ahead with my fitness for this time of year compared to where I usually would be. My weight is 107 kilos which is below where it usually is at this time of year.
“My skin folds when I left the club at the end of the season was 68 and I went back at 70. Usually I blow out but I didn’t this year.
“It was the best condition I’ve ever gone back to training. I did about five weeks in the boxing gym, three days a week, and I am fighting fit.”
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think this is really a scam. The bloke Jarrod fought was just throwing haymakers and had no defences. Jarrod probably picks up about $50k which is outside the NRL salary cap.
My Little Pony
Roar Rookie
This example has an added dimension in that Wallace is a current player. It's surprising clubs paying large sums of money allow them to take on such risky activities, particularly in cases such as this where the player is clearly not equipped to be an effective boxer.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I find it sad that so many ex-League players feel that boxing is a good follow on from football. With all the research going on into the long-term results of head injuries, I can't imagine a worse choice. Sincerely hope that younger players don't follow this path. I get annoyed that The Roar always place boxing stories, involving past players, under the Rugby League banner, as though they are joined at the hip.