BREAKING NEWS: Latrell Mitchell drops a shock announcement that he will make his boxing debut by fighting the winner of the fight between AFL stars Cam Mooney and Tom Bellchambers
- NRL star went online hours before the fight card
- Talked about getting fighting games last year
- Mooney and Bellchambers clash on Wednesday night
NRL star Latrell Mitchell has stunned boxing and football fans alike by announcing he will fight the winner of Wednesday night’s fight between former AFL stars Cam Mooney and Tom Bellchambers.
The Souths fullback made it public just hours before the fight on his Instagram story, which features on the undercard of the heavyweight clash between Joseph Parker and Faiga Opelu, along with the stoush between Nikita Tszyu and Ben Bomber.
Mitchell posted a promotional image for the Aussie Rules fight, adding the caption, “Jump on now!! I fight the winner!’
Mitchell talked about taking up boxing late last year – and now the Souths star has thrown his hat in the ring
His Instagram post (pictured) just hours before the fight card kicked off saw him pledge to fight the winner of the stoush Cam Mooney vs Tom Bellchambers
Boxing commentator Ben Damon and Tim Ashworth, the head of media for boxing promoter No Limit Boxing, both tweeted about the footy star’s foray into the fighting game within minutes of it going online.
In December last year, Mitchell discussed his love of boxing and he has been linked to No Limit and the men behind it, former NRL star George Rose and his brothers Matt and Trent.
He was also filmed backstage with Tim Tszyu as they celebrated the Aussie world title contender’s knockout victory over American Tony Harrison in March, and has been seen in the audience at other major fights.
Mitchell was asked at a No Limit press conference last year if he wanted to put on the gloves.
The superstar fullback will have a lot of work ahead of him when he tackles either Mooney (left), who is 196cm tall and weighs around 100kg, or Bellchambers (right) who is 201cm and 108kg.
Mitchell has been associated with ex-NRL star George Rose’s No Limit Boxing business and celebrated with Tim Tszyu following the Aussie slugger’s knockout win over American Tony Harrison in March (pictured)
“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.
‘Matty [Rose] pampered me a bit, but you have to train to do it.
“In footy we have 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.”
Mitchell is known for his strength and aggression on the pitch and he would need them to fight Bellchambers, who is 201cm tall and weighed 108kg in his playing days at Essendon.
Mooney isn’t much shorter, coming in at 197cm and 99kg when he ran for North Melbourne and Geelong.