- Tevita Pangai Junior knocked out in 69 seconds
- The former soccer star finds himself at a professional crossroads
- He has indicated that he would like to return to the NRL and continue boxing.
Former NRL star Tevita Pangai Junior was knocked out in just over a minute during a boxing match on Saturday night, leaving his next step in the sporting world uncertain.
Pangai Junior stepped away from the Bulldogs and the NRL in 2023 to pursue a career in boxing, but the move does not appear to be paying off.
Fighting in the main event of the Brisbane Boxing Showcase, the former football star was defeated by his opponent Kenny Niko in just 69 seconds.
He took to Instagram after the fight to talk about the devastating KO.
Tevita Pangai Junior was arrested in just over a minute during a boxing match on Saturday.
The controversial fixture has walked away from the Bulldogs and the NRL in 2023.
“And that’s heavyweight boxing,” he posted alongside a photo of his wife and children.
‘You just need a clean one. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets and PPV! My opponent, Kenny, came ready, congratulations.
‘Also thanks to all the sponsors of the event and my personal sponsors. Return to football and boxing to stay in shape. Thank you to my wife, family, friends and my team.’
Pangai Junior indicated that he would like to return to football, but he is not hanging up his gloves permanently.
“I haven’t had a concussion in football for 10 years and I once got rocked in sparring,” he said afterwards.
‘I will rebuild myself and return to football.
“I’m not going to leave boxing, I hope I can have a rematch with Kenny and prepare myself a little better.”
The controversial prop has been spotted in Broncos training this season and has returned to football with Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup.
Pangai Junior took to social media after the fight to post a photo of his family.
The talented athlete has indicated he would like to return to the NRL this season.
Last week he indicated he would be interested in donning a Storm jersey after speaking to coach Craig Bellamy.
However, Melbourne boss Justin Rodski denied reports the Storm are pursuing Pangai Junior.
“He and Craig Bellamy had a conversation about a month ago, there was a discussion about whether or not we were open to looking at it,” he told 2GB’s Rolling Call Team.
“I think at that point Craig told the list management group about the conversation, but to be honest, it didn’t go any further than that.
“He hasn’t played rugby league and if we want to fill a gap in our list this year we needed someone who was ready to come in and play straight away.”
“So I don’t think there’s any movement there.”