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WILLIS Meehan, the giant Roosters rugby league teenager, is ready to crash tackle the world of professional boxing with his debut in the punch-for-pay ranks next week.
The 195cm, 120kg second-rower will make his professional debut on the undercard to his father Kali’s big battle with New Zealand veteran Shane Cameron at the North Shore Events Centre, Auckland on Saturday week.
The 19-year-old footballer has already had enormous success in boxing, winning the 2013 Australian amateur super-heavyweight title by beating London Olympian Johan Linde before suffering a stunning upset earlier this year against Brisbane’s Joe Goodall for a place on the Commonwealth Games boxing team.
Meehan, who has been one of world heavyweight title contender Alex Leapai’s main sparring partners throughout the year, decided to forego a shot at the Rio Olympics in order to cash in on his rugby league connection.
His opponent for next week’s fight will be announced on Sunday, though he is an experienced professional who has served as a sparring partner to several world class heavyweights.
Willis and his father have high hopes for his pro career and Willis says boxing training has helped him with rugby league, because it requires so much discipline and physical toughness, prized attributes for a league forward.
The giant youngster began his fighting career sparring with older brother Louis in furious 12-rounders in the backyard after school.
I tried to steer them away from boxing knowing all the hassles that come with the sport,’’ Kali said. ‘‘But Willis has always loved it. He can box, he can brawl, he reads fights well, he can box southpaw or orthodox and he has the discipline to train hard. He can punch too. I feel it every time we spar.’’
Kali Meehan, 44, will be trying to turn back the clock to his great days of a decade ago when he slugs it out with Cameron in the main event.
Cameron pushed Danny Green through 12 tough rounds in the West Australian’s last fight.
Meehan won $200,000 in his last start, when he knocked out Englishman Michael Sprott in the final of a Super 8 last man standing event in Auckland in June.
A decade ago he came within a whisker of winning the WBO world heavyweight title from Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas, going down in a hotly disputed split decision after having the American out on his feet in the eighth round.
‘‘Many people thought he beat Lamon Brewster but Kali didn’t get the
decision because he didn’t have the killer instinct,’’ Don King told me after the fight.
‘‘They knew each other and were friends. Kali liked the guy too much.’’
The 195cm, 120kg second-rower will make his professional debut on the undercard to his father Kali’s big battle with New Zealand veteran Shane Cameron at the North Shore Events Centre, Auckland on Saturday week.
The 19-year-old footballer has already had enormous success in boxing, winning the 2013 Australian amateur super-heavyweight title by beating London Olympian Johan Linde before suffering a stunning upset earlier this year against Brisbane’s Joe Goodall for a place on the Commonwealth Games boxing team.
Meehan, who has been one of world heavyweight title contender Alex Leapai’s main sparring partners throughout the year, decided to forego a shot at the Rio Olympics in order to cash in on his rugby league connection.
His opponent for next week’s fight will be announced on Sunday, though he is an experienced professional who has served as a sparring partner to several world class heavyweights.
Willis and his father have high hopes for his pro career and Willis says boxing training has helped him with rugby league, because it requires so much discipline and physical toughness, prized attributes for a league forward.
The giant youngster began his fighting career sparring with older brother Louis in furious 12-rounders in the backyard after school.
I tried to steer them away from boxing knowing all the hassles that come with the sport,’’ Kali said. ‘‘But Willis has always loved it. He can box, he can brawl, he reads fights well, he can box southpaw or orthodox and he has the discipline to train hard. He can punch too. I feel it every time we spar.’’
Kali Meehan, 44, will be trying to turn back the clock to his great days of a decade ago when he slugs it out with Cameron in the main event.
Cameron pushed Danny Green through 12 tough rounds in the West Australian’s last fight.
Meehan won $200,000 in his last start, when he knocked out Englishman Michael Sprott in the final of a Super 8 last man standing event in Auckland in June.
A decade ago he came within a whisker of winning the WBO world heavyweight title from Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas, going down in a hotly disputed split decision after having the American out on his feet in the eighth round.
‘‘Many people thought he beat Lamon Brewster but Kali didn’t get the
decision because he didn’t have the killer instinct,’’ Don King told me after the fight.
‘‘They knew each other and were friends. Kali liked the guy too much.’’
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