Boxing bid over, for now
Tevita Pangai Jr’s boxing career is in tatters after the NRL convert suffered a devastating first-round knockout loss in Brisbane on Saturday night. On the day the Storm ruled out making a play for Pangai Jr, the former Broncos and Bulldogs star copped a doublewhammy when he was bashed by Kenny Niko in just 69 seconds at the Greek Club in West End in Brisbane.
Just last week, Pangai Jr revealed plans to put professional boxing on hold after his fight with Niko to focus on making a comeback to the NRL code he quit last August. Those plans will now be accelerated after Pangai Jr crashed to his first defeat in five professional fights after being rocked by a massive left-hand bomb from hulking rival Niko.
Niko (0-3) went into the bout winless from three fights but he chalked up his first victory in style, claiming a bigname scalp in Pangai Jr, who was the main event on his own TPJ Promotions card.
With former Broncos teammates Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan watching on in the crowd, a disappointed Pangai Jr said his immediate focus is resuming his rugby league career, but hasn’t ruled out an eventual return to boxing.
“That’s the heavyweight division, it only takes one punch,” Pangai Jr 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.
“I’m not going to quit boxing (forever), hopefully I can get a rematch with Kenny and prepare a bit better.”
Pangai Jr entered the ring as the raging favourite, wearing a Brisbane Lions AFL jersey, but the 114kg former State of Origin star was in major trouble within a minute after eating a savage left from Niko.