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6 months ago
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Former NRL star Tevita Pangai Junior has been knocked out in just over one minute during a boxing bout on Saturday night that leaves his next move in the sporting world uncertain.
Pangai Junior famously walked away from the Bulldogs and the NRL in 2023 to pursue a career in boxing, but the move doesn't seem to be paying off.
Fighting in the main event at the Brisbane Boxing Showcase, the former footy star was dropped by opponent Kenny Niko in just 69 seconds.
He took to Instagram after the bout to speak about the devastating KO.
Tevita Pangai Junior was stopped in just over one minute during a boxing bout on Saturday
The controversial prop famously 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.
'Only takes one clean one. Thank you for everyone who bought tickets and PPV! My opponent, Kenny came ready congrats uso.
'Also thanks to all event sponsors and my personal sponsors. Back to footy and boxing for fitness. Thanks to my Wife, family, friend & my team.'
Pangai Junior indicated he would like to return to football, but isn't hanging up the gloves for good.
'I haven't been concussed in footy for 10 years and I have been rocked once in sparring,' he said afterwards.
'I will rebuild and go back to footy.
'I'm not going to quit boxing, hopefully I can get a rematch with Kenny and prepare a bit better.'
The controversial prop has been spotted at Broncos training sessions this season, and has made a return to footy with Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup.
Pangai Junior took to social media after the bout to post a shot of his family
The talented athlete has indicated he'd like to return to the NRL this season
Last week he indicated that he would be interested in pulling on a Storm jersey after talking to coach Craig Bellamy.
However, Melbourne boss Justin Rodski denied reports that the Storm are chasing Pangai Junior.
'Him and Craig Bellamy had a conversation about a month ago, there was a discussion about whether or not we'd been open to looking at him,' he told 2GB's Continuous Call Team.
'I think at the time Craig told the list management group about the conversation but to be honest it didn't go any further than that.
'He hasn't been playing rugby league and if we're going to be looking at filling a gap for our list this year we needed someone that would be ready to come in and play straight away.
'So I don't think there'll be any movement there.'
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