The Gathering fight night guide: Start time, how to watch and undercard details… Everything you need to know about footy’s biggest night of boxing
Former footy stars are ready to swap their boots for boxing gloves and throw themselves into what promises to be a thrilling showdown in the ring ahead of the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
Kane Cornes, Nathan Brown, Dale Thomas, Dane Swan, Anthony Rocca, Corey McKernan, Mitch Robinson and Kayne Pettifer have trained hard for weeks to put on a show for both football and boxing fans.
The event will also feature a host of professional boxers, including Aussie Jackson England, who will take on American Jamel Herring for the WBO global super featherweight title.
Former AFL players and professional boxers will square off in a blockbuster boxing fight ahead of the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide
Ex-footy stars turned commentators Kane Cornes (left) and Nathan Brown (right) will go head-to-head in one of the most anticipated fights of the night
When does the promotion start?
The event will air from 6:30pm (AEDT) for the event on Wednesday, April 3.
How can you watch?
The meeting is exclusively for Stan Sportso fans will need an active Stan subscription to watch the event.
Stan subscribers must order the pay-per-view for an additional $50.
If you can’t buy the event, Ny Breaking Australia will be running a live blog with updates on all the action.
Where is The Gathering Fight Night held?
The event will be held at the Adelaide 36ers Arena in Adelaide. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here.
Breaking up the big fights
All the fights promise to be exciting, but the following fights have created some extra interest.
Kayne Cornes vs. Nathan Brown
Cornes is not one to shy away from controversy and has admitted that many people want to see him manhandled by Brown on Wednesday night.
However, boxing icon Danny Green believes Cornes is the ‘most driven’ athlete competing on the night and won’t be at all surprised if Cornes raises his hand after the final bell.
At Tuesday night’s weigh-in, the former Power star admitted a South Australian property company paid to have his name on the soles of his boxing boots because that is where they will get the most exposure.
“It’s my job to make sure that doesn’t show tomorrow night,” he laughed.
Asked by boxing legend Danny Green what his plan will be on fight night, Brown said: “I think we both just want to show some respect to the sport of boxing.”
Cornes looked much better than Brown, who joked that he is the overwhelming favorite at “about $1.10” to win.
Mitch Robinson vs. Kayne Pettifer
Both men are very serious about their training and Green believes this fight will be the best of the footy stars in terms of skills.
“Petts has been boxing for a long time,” Green said. “Mitch has been boxing for a while and he loves it and will continue if he wins.”
Boxing icon Danny Green believes the fight between Mitch Robinson and Kayne Pettifer is the best to watch when it comes to boxing skills
Dane Swan vs. Dale Thomas
Both men are ultra-competitive and good friends outside the ring.
Swan says he is in the best shape he has been in for a while and has been boxing for years.
“I’m not a full-time boxer, I had to juggle it with my lifestyle and three young children, but I put in the work,” Swan told Ny Breaking Australia.
“I can comfortably do four rounds, it just depends on how many times I get hit. But I’m ready to go.
‘Boxing is a discipline that I have always enjoyed. I hate running, I haven’t lifted weights since I was forced to do so while playing AFL, and swimming bores me.
“I was supposed to fight a few years ago, but that didn’t happen. I was asked to do this, so it’s time to put your money where your mouth is.”
Dane Swan and Dale Thomas are friends outside the ring, but will give anything to raise their hands
Jackson England vs. Jamel Herring
The professional fighters will compete for the WBO super featherweight world title.
Haring is a former world champion and has been in the ring with some of the biggest names in the industry.
England, the Australian, is an exciting fighter and has come to Adelaide to make a statement against the slick American.
Jamel Herring and Jackson England battle for the WBO super featherweight world title
Alex Leapai Jr vs. Joe Ageli
Colossal rugby league prodigy Alex Leapai Jr left his NRL contract with the Gold Coast Titans to follow in his legendary father’s footsteps and focus on boxing.
Alex Leapai Snr fought former heavyweight titan Wladimir Klitschko for the world title in 2014 and many are tipping his talented son to go all out.
“I feel fit and ready to go,” Alex Jr. said. to Ny Breaking Australia.
Alex Leapai Jnr (pictured left) makes his professional debut against Kiwi Joe Ageli
Full card for the Gathering Fight Night
Main Event – Jamal Herring (24-4-0) vs. Jackson England (15-3-0) (Super Featherweight) (WBO Global Super Featherweight Title)
Mitch Robinson (Debut) vs. Kayne Pettifer (Debut) (Cruiserweight)
Jack Brubaker (17-5-2) vs. In Duck Seo (15-3-2) (Super Welterweight)
Kane Cornes (Debut) vs. Nathan Brown (Debut) (Cruiserweight)
Joel Camilleri (27-8-1) vs. Joel Pavlides (5-2-1) (Middleweight)
Dane Swan (debut) vs. Dale Thomas (debut) (heavyweight)
Alex Leapal Jnr (debut) vs Joe Ageli (2-1-0) (heavyweight)
Anthony Rocca (debut) vs. Corey McKernan (debut) (heavyweight)
Sergei Vorobev (20-2-0) vs. Wes Capper (22-5-1) (heavyweight)