>
Tongan powerhouse who ‘hits the pads harder than anyone else’ becomes latest footy star to make it big in post-World Cup boxing
- Former Roosters prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho is set for heavyweight boxing debut
- The 30-year-old trained in Warrington next to the Tongan toilet camp
- Peter Mitrevski Jr says the front rower hits harder than anyone he’s seen before
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Tongan bulldozer Sio Siua Taukeiaho is set to riot in the boxing ring after his World Cup campaign – with the heavyweight dubbed a knockout star who hits the pads ‘harder than anyone else’.
Taukeiaho, 30, has signed with the Catalan Dragons on a two-year deal in the Super League.
Sio siua Taukeiaho leads Tongan cultural rallying cry ahead of their World Cup match against Wales
The formidable front rower has been scouted by boxing trainer Peter Mitrevski Jr, who believes he can grow taller than the rugby league star turned boxer, Paul Gallen.
The 10-year-old Rooster wants his first fight before Christmas, after his World Cup commitments in England with Tonga.
“He has incredible strength,” said Mitrevski Jr Telegraph.
“He hits harder than anyone I’ve ever felt… I sent him to Martin Murray (a former world champion) and he said he has real world class power.
If Main Event is looking for the next star after Paul Gallen, then Sio Siua is the man.”
Taukeiaho storms into the Bulldogs defense during a breakout year with the Roosters in 2016
Peter Mitrevski (L) throws a left hook to Johannes Mwetupunga during their middleweight title fight in 2010
The former Australian middleweight who fought to a 24-9-1 record from 1997-2014 says he’s looking forward to seeing who has the guts to take on the 108kg powerhouse.
He has donned the gloves in Warrington and has trained regularly, where the Tongan camp in England is located.
Taukeiaho says he admires the careers of Paul Gallen and former teammate Sonny Bill-Williams, who brought the excitement back to Australian boxing and the Main Event card.
“Sonny was a mentor to us Polynesian boys at the Roosters. He has given me the confidence to take on these kinds of challenges,” he said.
Taukeiaho (L) poses with teammate Jared Waerea Hargreaves (R) after winning the 2019 NRL premiership and back-to-back with the Roosters
The former Kiwi international also wants to try an individual sport outside of the rugby league.
Nicknamed “TKO,” Taukeiaho was able to live up to his name as early as December, given the speed of the Main Event or no-limit boxing.
Sio Siua Taukeiaho (R) trains in 2014 in a UFC ring with his mate Isaac Crichton – he is a big fan of the sport
Taukeiaho played 169 games for the tricolors and was a key member of the 2018 and 2019 consecutive premierships.
The father of two is a huge UFC fan and posts regularly on Instagram about matchups and knockouts.