Tevita Pangai Junior showed his boxing credentials in the best fight of the night, but football legend Ben Hannant’s stunning beating by NRL star Junior Paulo created the biggest controversy during a wild night of boxing in Townsville on Saturday.
The Battle on the Reef promotion saw nine stars past and present step into the ring with incredible results as two of the fights ended in brutal fashion.
Former Queensland State of Origin forward Ben Hannant provided the most disturbing sight of the night when a right hand from the Parramatta Eels enforcer left him stargazing 30 seconds into the first round of their clash – but the referee didn’t managed to end the war.
Hannant was clearly glassy-eyed and could barely get to his feet, but the official was unable to shake off the fight to save him from further punishment.
Ben Hannant (left) took a huge and unnecessary punishment from Junior Paulo (centre) after the referee failed to stop the fight when he was injured so badly he could barely stand.
The former Cowboys star’s corner was also too late to put away, leaving their fighter at risk of serious injury as Paulo continued to hit him with big punches.
Veteran boxing commentator Andy Raymond was furious when the referee allowed Hannant to fight.
‘Someone stop this! He tried to stand up and now he’s going to get hurt if they let this go on,” he added. Stan Sport coverage of the war.
“There’s nothing worse than a bold corner or a referee who can’t control what’s going on.
“These are not professional boxers… these are rugby league guys who have a crack at the boxing ring, and that’s a bad thing.”
Australian WBA Oceania middleweight champion Michael Zerafa was also scathing about the decision to let the bout go ahead.
Hannant’s corner eventually threw in the towel (pictured), but the bout should have been stopped once he was knocked down 30 seconds into the first round
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (right) delivered the punch of the night when he dropped Jarrod Wallace (left) with a wild ball just seven seconds into their fight
Tevita Pangai Junior takes a punch from Frank Amato in their six-round fight. The former Bulldogs NRL star won on points in a thrilling clash that was easily the best fight on the card
“This was a bad decision by the referee, he was on his feet and couldn’t even walk straight,” he said in the commentary.
“That’s why some fighters get serious and have permanent injuries, because of decisions like that.”
Another decision – this time by a referee – enraged fans and left pundits stunned at the end of the night’s final match.
Paulo Aokuso produced a masterful display of boxing to clearly defeat Argentina’s Gabriel Omar Diaz, standing no chance during their 10-round bout.
However, boos erupted from the crowd and Aokuso was visibly shaken when one of the referees scored the match as a 95-95 tie.
Some fans were heard shouting, ‘What fight were you watching?’ when the result was read and a puzzled Zerafa added: “I thought he (Aokuso) won almost every round.”
Screams and shouts of “What war were you watching?” roared when a referee embarrassed himself by calling the fight between Paolo Akuso (right) and Gabriel Omar Diaz – despite Akuso completely dominating his opponent, who barely won a round
Dragons great Matt Cooper (right) lost to Broncos legend Justin Hodges on points but did himself proud in his first professional fight.
Melbourne Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona used his 200cm, 130kg frame to hammer Dolphins forward Jarrod Wallace onto the deck with an incredible uppercut just seven seconds into their match.
Wallace somehow beat the count and went into the third and final round before Asofa-Solomona forced his corner to throw in the towel by knocking him down with bigger punches that left him bleeding from the nose.
Tevita Pangai Junior wants to carve out a boxing career after leaving the NRL in controversial circumstances this season – and he showed he has the talent to do just that after winning what was easily the fight of the night.
The former bulldog was unable to stop the extremely gutsy Frank Amato over six action-packed rounds, with both men left so exhausted they could barely stand at the final bell.
St George Illawarra great Matt Cooper took on Queensland legend Justin Hodges in the first match of the entire NRL on the card and impressed in his first pro fight despite losing on points.
And Reagan Campbell-Gillard became Parramatta’s second opener to record a win on the night when he scored a narrow points victory over Cowboys star and local favorite Jason Taumalolo.
Regan Campbell-Gillard (right) defeated local hero and Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo to make it two wins from two fights for the Parramatta Stars on Saturday night
Campbell-Gillard told the commentary panel she would not be boxing again, but Pangai raised her hand for a rematch with Amato before calling out undefeated Austrian heavyweight Jackson Murray and abruptly walking out of the ring.
Asofa-Solomona would not name his next favorite opponent, but let it slip that he hopes it will be a star with legs.
“I’ve got a few guys, but you can imagine they’re guys I’ve had fights with on the field,” he said.
“I guess we better get in there and work it out. You’ll find out soon enough.’
Hodges – who won his ninth pro fight at the age of 41 – challenged another former Spaniard who has done well in the ring.
“Sonny Bill Williams – I’ve got one more fight left, I might as well make it big,” he laughed.
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