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Cult hero NRL star Brandon Smith is set for a shocking sporting change as ‘Hectic Cheese’ looks to become one of the most popular characters in Australian sport.
- Smith is ready to ‘cross over’ into boxing
- NRL star could be the ‘next Paul Gallen’
- Boxing promoter praises his ‘charisma’
NRL cult hero Brandon Smith is ready for a surprising sporting change to boxing.
The 26-year-old, who is set to make his first official start for the Sydney Roosters on March 5 after making a name for himself with the Melbourne Storm, is no stranger to the ring.
As a youngster, Smith once reportedly knocked out a New Zealand amateur champion.
No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose strongly believes the New Zealand international could juggle sporting activities like Paul Gallen, whose first fight was in 2012 against former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot.
The 41-year-old Gallen openly stated that he boxed solely to make money, and the Sharks’ first-place winner is said to have generated a whopping $25 million from the fighting game.
NRL cult hero Brandon Smith is set for a shocking sporting change to boxing in a similar vein to Paul Gallen.
No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose strongly believes that Smith will hold his own in the ring and be a hit with the fans.
“Cheese (Smith) said he loved the No Limit shows, and we eventually talked about his own boxing experience,” Rose said.
‘He definitely has that foundation, he has that fan experience.
“He is also the type of person who has the charisma to be like Paul Gallen was for boxing here in Australia.
“If you look across the NRL now and wonder who has the ability to be a Pay Per View star of boxing… yes, I think Cheese could be.”
Given Gallen’s success as a prized boxer, Rose is happy to promote crossover athletes as well as world-class spruik talents like Tim Tszyu.
“We know there’s genuine interest there,” Rose said when it comes to making fights involving NRL stars like Smith a reality.
“If you put on the right fights, and with the right people, the appetite is definitely there.”