AFL giant Tom Bellchambers responds to Souths NRL star Latrell Mitchell’s boxing fight offer
Massive 122kg, 201cm ex-AFL star Tom Bellchambers caused the boxing world to sit up and take notice with a stunning victory on his debut – and a surprise rugby league contender could be next in line.
The 136-game Essendon life member, 33, has been a ruck powerhouse over a 13-year career, and he showed impressive toughness to knock out three-time Cats premiership great Cameron Mooney in the third round on Joseph Parker’s undercard and Faiga Opelu’s clash on Wednesday night.
Bellchambers withstood a barrage of strong combinations from his 43-year-old rival in the opening rounds before knocking Mooney out with a devastating right hand that sent the cocky Cat to the canvas and garnered praise from boxing legend Tyson Fury.
And the Bomber isn’t done after his strong debut – 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 win to urge fans to ‘jump on now’ as he will ‘fight the winner’ of Mooney v Bellchambers.
Tom Bellchambers celebrates his boxing debut on Wednesday night after knocking out fellow AFL great Cam Mooney
Bellchambers (left) played 136 games in a 13-year career with Essendon, but has now made a highly successful move to the ring
NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell (right, pictured with Aussie star Tim Tszyu), an unashamed fan of boxing, declared he would take on the winner of the fight – but will Bellchambers accept?
Bellchambers (right) was too good for Mooney despite a few barrages from the Cats Great, and is now eager to continue his career in the ring
But the man himself wasn’t too keen on the idea.
“Ahh, not sure yet…we’ll see what’s next,” Bellchambers said of the prospect of fighting Mitchell after his win.
“That (boxing debut) was everything I thought it would be and more.”
The footy hardman said prior to 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, said wants him to fight a rugby league star.
An unnamed Latrell Mitchell, surprisingly.
123kg Eels bulldozer Junior Paulo, who narrowly beat Footy’s most famous boxing convert, Paul Gallen, in 2016, is believed to be a more likely match than Mitchell, according to Fox Sports.
Other boxing-experienced powerhouses like Matt Lodge and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are also in the frame – and are a much better physical match for Bellchambers than the relatively diminutive Mitchell, weighing in at 102kg.
Junior Paulo (right) might be a better match to take on Bellchambers. The Eels prop took on one of footy’s most famous boxing converts Paul Gallen (left) in 2016 and narrowly went down
The 123kg Blues and Eels enforcer is no stranger to the ring and would be a mouth-watering match-up
Of course, Mitchell is no stranger to boxing.
He can often be seen ringside for big matches and is an unabashed fan of both participating in and watching the sport.
He was spotted backstage supporting Aussie star Tim Tszyu ahead of his victory over American Tony Harrison in March, and admitted last year that getting into the ring was a challenge he coveted.
“Once I learn to throw a punch — hopefully if I do and don’t get 10 weeks [suspension] for that we go from there,” he joked at the time.
‘Matty [Rose] spoiled me a bit… (but) in footy we get people to rely on, to help you on the pitch. But when you’re in the ring, you’re alone – it’s a different mindset.
“It can be challenging and competitive, which I like to be, and maybe something in the future.”
Bellchambers weighed in at 122kg – a good 20kg heavier than Mitchell, who stated prior to the fight that he would fight the winner
Mitchell (right, pictured alongside Dane Gagai in the 2021 Origin series) has often been a fighter on the pitch, but can he take on much bigger guys in the ring?
Rose was full of praise for Bellchambers after his stunning win, saying it would certainly put a few NRL players (read: Mitchell) back in their place.
“I know the NRL guys have long considered themselves tougher than the ones in AFL, but I think a few may have slumped in their seats watching that fight,” Rose said after the fight.
“I’m not sure there will really be too many guys willing to raise their hand for this fight.
“Tom (Bellchambers) recovered early from a big shot and proved he has heavy, heavy hands. The way he fights makes the ring feel like a phone booth. You just can’t leave him.’
Bellchambers certainly isn’t resting on its laurels or celebrating its win too loudly either – it’s full steam ahead, according to Rose.
“He said hopefully he’ll be back in the gym soon,” the No Limits promoter said of when the footy star could get back in the ring.