The players in line for shot at AFL heavyweights

1 year ago 150

Cam Mooney and Tom Bellchambers look disconnected astatine the measurement in.

Former AFL stars Cameron Mooney and Tom Bellchambers volition travel to blows connected Wednesday nighttime arsenic portion of No Limit Boxing's Melbourne paper astatine Margaret Court Arena.

The all-AFL heavyweight clash is expected to gully important interest, alongside erstwhile heavyweight satellite champion Joseph Parker's bout and Australian Nikita Tszyu's fight.

Since NRL large Paul Gallen hung up his gloves past year, Australian boxing promoters person been pushing for the adjacent shot subordinate to beforehand successful the ring.

Cam Mooney and Tom Bellchambers look disconnected astatine the measurement in. (Getty)

While a big of ex-NRL stars person forged boxing careers with varying levels of success, the AFL marketplace has been mostly untapped.

Former AFL agitator Barry Hall made his nonrecreational boxing debut successful 2019 but was capped astatine lone 2 fights aft a gully with Gallen and a dense nonaccomplishment to Sonny Bill Williams.

Since retiring successful 2011, three-time premiership subordinate Mooney, 43, has taken up commentary duties. He is 10 years older than his opponent, 33-year-old Bellchambers, who retired from the crippled successful 2020.

Former AFL stars Cameron Mooney and Tom Bellchambers volition travel to blows connected Wednesday nighttime arsenic portion of No Limit Boxing's Melbourne paper astatine Margaret Court Arena. (Getty)

Standing astatine 182cm, Bellchambers besides importantly outweighs Mooney, but adding to the intrigue, Mooney has much boxing acquisition with years of sparring nether his belt.

The pair volition conscionable successful a heavyweight bout lasting 3 two-minute rounds.

However, earlier the combat has adjacent begun, attraction has already turned to the victors' adjacent hostile with respective different footy players eager for an opportunity.

Mitch Robinson is reportedly funny successful tempting destiny connected No Limit Boxing's adjacent cross-code card.

A erstwhile Blue and Lion, Robinson, 33, played 247 elder games earlier his abrupt status astatine the extremity of past season. He present boasts a ample online beingness with his ain YouTube transmission and podcast.

The promoter besides has respective rugby league players connected its books including newly-minted NSW Origin guardant Tevita Pangai Jnr.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Matt Lodge and Siosiua Taukeiaho are besides rumoured to beryllium connected committee with a combat nighttime aboriginal this year.

Tevita Pangai Junior runs the shot for the Bulldogs. (Getty)

In Wednesday's co-main event, Tszyu (5-0, 4KO) volition look Benjamin Bommber (5-0, 4 KO).

Worryingly for Tszyu, Bommber has been grooming retired of Floyd Mayweather's gym successful Las Vegas and has linked up with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney's squad successful preparation.

Parker volition combat for the commonwealth heavyweight rubric against Faiga Opel. The victor volition go the archetypal combatant from the Pacific to assertion the honour.

How to watch?

In Australia, fans tin tune successful via Foxtel's Main Event oregon Kayo Sports.

When does the paper start?

The main paper starts astatine 7pm AEST connected Wednesday May 24. The main lawsuit ringwalks are scheduled for 10pm.

Full combat card:

Joseph Parker vs Faiga 'Django' Opelu, 10 rounds, heavyweight

Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Bommber, 6 rounds, ace welterweight

Cam Mooney vs Tom Bellchambers, 3 rounds, heavyweight

Joel Taylor vs Ben Horn, 6 rounds, 68.5kg catchweight

Jayde Mitchell vs Max Reeves, 8 rounds, 78.5kg catchweight

David Nyika vs Louis Marsters, 5 rounds, cruiserweight

Campbell Somerville vs Isaias Sette, 5 rounds, ace welterweight

Luke Gersbeck vs Jack Moore, 5 rounds, 69.0kg drawback weight

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!