Battle on the Reef on Stan Sport – Saturday proved a night to remember for NRL and boxing fans for like, as the stars of the Battle on the Reef Pay-Per-View delivered a thrilling lineup of fights live & exclusive on Stan.
The Battle on the Reef Pay-Per-View is still available to order, exclusively on Stan.
The main event proved a thrilling affair, as Olympic star Paulo ‘Sweet Pea’ Aokuso extended his unbeaten streak and showed why he’s a rising Australian boxing, as he battled tough Argentinian Gabriel Omar Diaz in his bid to claim Aokuso’s IBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title.
While Aokuso was the victor in a tight majority points decision, the belt will now be vacated as Aokuso was unsuccessful in making weight for the bout.
Before that, two NRL heavyweight superstars threw down, with Jason Taumalolo, the North Queensland Cowboys hometown hero losing a razor-thin split decision victory to his Parramatta Eels and NSW Origin opponent Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Fresh into his new professional boxing career after turning his back on a lucrative NRL deal, Tevita Pangai Jr and professional boxer Frank Amato earned themselves a well-deserved standing ovation after what was one of the greatest fights of the year.
The two warriors went through hell and back to the point of exhaustion without giving an inch, but it was Pangai Jr who earned a close majority decision win, vowing to rematch Amato in the hopes of earning a more decisive victory in the future.
Paulo Aokuso trades shots with Gabriel Omar Diaz
In one of the most anticipated bouts of the evening, the largest man in rugby league showed why a successful boxing career could be in his future, as the Melbourne Storm and New Zealand international prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropped Dolphins and QLD Origin star Jarrod Wallace with an almighty uppercut which had the Townsville crowd on their feet.
Wallace showed enormous heart to not only get up, but make it a fight until the third round, when his team had seen enough and mercifully threw in the towel.
Another wrecking ball in the form of Parramatta Eels and NSW Origin enforcer Junior Paulo showed the same high level of skill he had showcased earlier in his career when he took Paul Gallen to his limit, en route to crushing QLD legend Ben Hannant.
Paulo dropped Hannant shortly into the first round with a savage right hook, and after some more heavy shots, it was the ‘Polar Bear’s team that threw in the towel to stop the fight.
And it was a true State of Origin battle when NSW legend Matt Cooper took on his counterpart and longtime rival in QLD legend Justin Hodges.
The two traded blows and both had their moment, but it was Hodges who proved victor via unanimous decision, with his prior boxing experience paying dividends over Cooper who was on debut.
Jarrod Wallace narrowly avoids a straight right from Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Earlier in the evening, Jermaine Pangai, the brother of Tevita, showed why many hold high opinions of the 19-year-old, after forcing his Fijian opponent Nepote Dawadawa into an early retirement after he was unable to return to action for the second round.
And opening the event, Austin Aokuso, brother of main eventer Paulo, was also able to secure an early stoppage against Filimoni Naliva Jr, with the Fijian taking a knee and unable to resume the fight halfway through the very first round.
FULL BATTLE ON THE REEF CARD (bouts and order subject to change)
- Paulo Aokuso defeated Gabriel Omar Diaz (majority decision)
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard defeated Jason Taumalolo (split decision)
- Tevita Pangai Junior defeated Frank Amato (majority decision)
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona defeated Jarrod Wallace (TKO)
- Junior Paulo defeated Ben Hannant (TKO)
- Justin Hodges defeated Matt Cooper (unanimous decision)
- Jermaine Pangai defeated Nepote Dawadawa (TKO)
- Austin Aokuso defeated Filimoni Naliva Jr (TKO)
Battle on the Reef is promoted by Fightr Promotions via Dynamic Sports, a leading sports marketing agency with a wealth of experience in boxing events.
Led by Dan Janiszewski and Nick Livermore, Fightr builds on Stan’s successful entry to the Pay-Per-View space with marquee fights including Sonny Bill Williams‘ showdowns with Barry Hall and Mark Hunt.
To order and watch the replay of the Battle on the Reef Pay-Per-View customers will need an active Stan subscription. Stan subscribers can order the Pay-Per-View for $50. New customers can sign up for a 30 day free trial and then order the Pay-Per-View for $50.
Order Battle on the Reef here.
Media Release – Stan
Battle on the Reef on Stan Sport
Link to Stan HERE
TV Central Stan content HERE