Tevita Pangai cops chilling warning from Jeff Fenech ahead of boxing move
The Aussie boxing icon has weighed in on the Bulldogs star's shock decision to quit the NRL and take up the gloves.
Four-time world boxing champion Jeff Fenech has warned Tevita Pangai Jr any lack of hunger or motivation will be brutally exposed in the ring as the former NSW Origin forward prepares for a risky career change. Pangai shocked the NRL fraternity – and even some of his closest confidantes – in announcing he is to walk away from his $750,000-a-year deal with the Bulldogs to launch into boxing fulltime.
The 27-year-old has had two fights for two wins and believes he has what it takes to make it big in the sport. Fenech, who is a member of boxing's International Hall of Fame following a stellar career, applauded Pangai's courage in taking on a new challenge.
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But he does have his concerns. "He wouldn’t be doing this if he wasn't going to make money but to walk away from $750,000 a year and think he's going to dominate in boxing…it’s not going to automatically happen," Fenech told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"If you're not hungry in my sport you're not going to do it for long because you're getting your head punched in. For me it didn't matter if I was playing marbles or boxing, I'm going to do it with the same intensity because I want to be the best.
"Whatever it took to be the best I would do. I hope Tevita has the same mindset because it’s a totally different thing when you're getting punched in the face every day."
Tevita Pangai's attitude questioned after shock boxing move
Pangai's motivation and desire has been questioned throughout his 136-game NRL career. Fenech, who had a short stint in rugby league with Parramatta, is well qualified to compare the tools required to be a success in both sports.
He said: "You train hard as a rugby league player and it is physical, but it is a little different in boxing. "If you want to be the best you've got to train and spar with the best and there are times when you're going to get the sh*t beaten out of you.
"I am a huge fan of him in rugby league but I don’t think we saw the best of him. Hopefully he finds that in boxing. There's a risk attached to it but good on him for having a go."
As for Pangai's fighting ability, Fenech observed: "I haven’t seen him fight long enough to tell you how good he is. Is he going to fight fighters or fight footballers? I'm not sure what their plan is but if he's going to fight footy players and make as much money as he did playing, then good luck to him."
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