Gigantic 122kg, 201cm ex-AFL star Tom Bellchambers had the boxing world sit up and take notice with a stunning win on his debut – and a surprise rugby league contender could be next on the list.
The 136-game Essendon Lifetime member, 33, was a powerhouse in the ruck during a 13-year career, and he showed impressive tenacity to take down three-time United Premier Cameron Mooney Cats, in the third round on Joseph Parker’s undercard and Faiga Opelu’s clash on Wednesday night.
Bellchambers held off a barrage of solid combinations from his 43-year-old rival in the early rounds before knocking Mooney out with a devastating right hand that sent the cocky cat to the canvas and drew praise from boxing legend Tyson Fury.
And the Bomber is not yet finished after his strong start – but his next victim may not be the opponent many expect, NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell.
The Rabbitoh took to social media ahead of the AFL super fight to urge fans to ‘jump now’ as he will ‘fight the winner’ of Mooney against Bellchambers.
Tom Bellchambers celebrates after knocking out fellow AFL great Cam Mooney makes his boxing debut on Wednesday night
Bellchambers (left) played 136 games in his 13-year career at Essendon but has now made a very successful transition to the ring
NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell (right, pictured with Australian star Tim Tszyu), a die-hard boxing fan, has said he will face the winner of the fight – but will Bellchambers accept?
Bellchambers (right) was too good for Mooney despite some big Cats shootouts, and now wants to continue his career in the ring.
But the man himself was not so convinced by the idea.
“Ahh, not sure yet…we’ll see what’s next,” Bellchambers said after his win of the prospect of fighting Mitchell.
“This (boxing debut) was everything I thought it would be and more.”
The footy hardman said before the fight he had a ‘wish list’ of other AFL players he wanted to fight – including fellow Taswegian Mitch Robinson – but No Limit Boxing promoter George Rose , an NRL cult hero in his prime, wants him to fight a rugby league star.
A not named Latrell Mitchell, surprisingly.
The 123kg Eels bulldozer Junior Paulo, who narrowly fell on footy’s most famous boxing convert, Paul Gallen, in 2016, would be a more likely match than Mitchell, according to Fox Sports.
Other powerful props with boxing experience like Matt Lodge and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are also in the frame – and are a much better physical match for Bellchambers than the relatively small Mitchell, at 102kg.
Junior Paulo (right) might be a better match to face Bellchambers. The Eels prop took on one of footy’s most famous boxing converts, Paul Gallen (left) in 2016, and fell narrowly
The 123kg Blues and Eels enforcer is no stranger to the ring and would be a tantalizing match
Mitchell is of course no stranger to boxing.
He can often be seen at ringside for huge fights and is a die-hard fan of participating and watching the sport.
He was seen backstage supporting Australian star Tim Tszyu ahead of his win over American Tony Harrison in March, and admitted last year stepping into the ring was a challenge he coveted.
‘As soon as I learn to punch – hopefully if I do and I’m not 10 weeks [suspension] for that, we’ll go from there,” he joked at the time.
‘Matty [Rose] buttered me up a bit… (but) in footy, we get people to rely on, to help you out on the pitch. But when you’re in the ring, you’re alone – it’s a different mindset.
“It could be tough and competitive, which I like to be, and it could be something in the future, maybe.”
Bellchambers weighed 122kg – a good 20kg heavier than Mitchell, who said before the fight he would fight the winner
Mitchell (right, pictured opposite Dane Gagai in the 2021 Origin series) has often been a brawler on the court – but can he do it against much bigger boys in the ring?
Rose was full of praise for Bellchambers after their stunning win and said it would definitely put a few NRL players (read: Mitchell) in their place.
“I know the boys in the NRL have long considered themselves tougher than the boys in the AFL, but I think some may have collapsed in their chairs watching this fight,” Rose said after the fight.
“I’m not sure there will be too many boys who want to raise their hands for this fight.
“Tom (Bellchambers) recovered from a big knock early on and proved he had heavy, heavy hands. The way he fights makes the ring feel like a phone booth. You just can’t get away from him.
Bellchambers certainly isn’t resting on his laurels or celebrating his win too much, either – he’s full steam ahead, according to Rose.
“He said he’ll be right back in the gym, hopefully soon,” the No Limits promoter said of when the footy star could return to the ring.
