Prepare for an electrifying fusion of boxing and rugby league as Australia gears up for “Battle on the Reef,” slated for 7th October in Townsville. This extraordinary Pay-Per-View event will be exclusively available on Stan.
Rugby league champions are stepping into the boxing ring for this unparalleled extravaganza. Hosted exclusively on Stan, “Battle on the Reef” will be a night for the sports history books, bringing together top-notch Australian and international boxers, as well as elite rugby players.
Leading the rugby league brigade is Tevita Pangai Junior from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. After a sensational exit from rugby, Pangai Junior is stepping back into the ring for the first time since his knockout win in last year’s SBW v Hunt showdown, also on Stan.
The star-studded lineup also includes Junior Paulo of the Parramatta Eels, Jason Taumalolo from the North Queensland Cowboys, and Melbourne Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
All eyes will be on Asofa-Solomona as he makes his boxing debut, while Taumalolo fights for the first time on his home turf in Townsville.
They’re not just stepping into the ring for sport; they’re eyeing a career change. Each athlete hopes to follow in the footsteps of Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen, who successfully transitioned from football to boxing.
Former Origin adversaries Matt Cooper and Justin Hodges will also go head-to-head. After narrowly losing to Gallen last year, Hodges seeks a comeback that could redefine his boxing career.
Light-heavyweight Paul Aokuso, a promising Aussie Olympic boxer with an unbeaten record, will feature in the night’s professional bouts. Younger sibling Austin Aokuso is among the undercard fighters.
Fightr Promotions, backed by Dynamic Sports, is orchestrating this colossal event. Promoters Dan Janiszewski and Nick Livermore have expressed enthusiasm about their partnership with Stan, aiming to broaden its Pay-Per-View reach with events like “Battle on the Reef.”
Stan’s Director of Sport, Ben Kimber, lauded the collaboration with Fightr, emphasising the unparalleled athletic lineup, from Paulo Aukoso to rugby legends, that will make “Battle on the Reef” an unforgettable night.
“What an enormous lineup of outstanding athletes we’ve got set for the Battle on the Reef with our partners at Fightr.
From the rising talent of Paulo Aukoso, through to some of the most physically dominant players Australia has seen on the football field, this will be a night to remember from start to finish.
Battle on the Reef will be yet another unmissable Pay-Per-View event on Stan.”
