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A brawl threatened to erupt when NRL star Tevita Pangai Jr and his heavyweight opponent Jeremiah Tupai-Ui came face-to-face during Friday’s pre-fight weigh-in.
Appearing ahead of Saturday’s long-awaited clash between Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Hunt, the Bulldogs forward exchanged words with his opponent at the ICC in Sydney.
As tensions rose and a brief shoving match broke out after Pangai Jr got up in Tupai-Ui’s face, a cry of “don’t do it boys” came from the crowd, before the pair simmered.
Sonny Bill Williams will face Mark Hunt in a titanic heavyweight clash on November 5. Watch live and exclusive on Stan
Tevita Pangai Jr. (Katherine Griffiths)
Pangai Jr said the exchange came after Issac Hardman earlier this week likened Tupai-Ui to boxing great Mike Tyson.
“The weigh-in was pretty intense,” Pangai Jr told Wide World of Sports.
“We’ll see how we go. It should be a pretty good fight. Issac Hardman was calling him Mike Tyson, so we’ll see tomorrow night if he is.”
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Tevita Pangai Jr and his heavyweight opponent Jeremiah Tupai-Ui came face-to-face. (Stan)
Nevertheless, Pangai Jr said he has got respect for his opposite number.
“He’s an experienced amateur,” he said of the Nitro Boxing Fitness Centre product.
“He’s had six amateur fights, one pro fight, comes from a good fight gym. I’m just a footy player trying to box. I’ve done everything in my control to prepare well. I’ve worked on technique, worked on my fitness heaps.”
Hunt’s remarkable 20kg weight loss
At the weigh-in, the headliners – Williams and Hunt – were separated by 21kg.
Williams weighed 108kg while Hunt, who has been on an intense weight loss program for the fight, wound up at 129kg.
Hunt, whose fighting career will come to an end after Saturday, praised Samoan-born New Zealand boxer David Tua and boxing promoter Khoder Nasser.
Sonny Bill Williams at Friday’s weigh in. (Stan)
“It’s been 30 years of combat,” Hunt said.
“To be honest, I’m 48-years-old – I’m looking forward to this – It’ll be my last match.
“It’s been an amazing journey, to be honest, around the globe in different genres.
Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Hunt. (Stan)
“After this fight, it’ll be a different battle, but I really appreciate the great man David over here and his team and everyone else who has helped be a part of this.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, lacing up the gloves, any kind of gloves for the last time. I appreciate that, Khoder.”
Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Hunt. (Stan)
WHAT IS THE DATE AND TIME FOR SBW vs HUNT?
The fight night is on Saturday, November 5 with the undercard action and live coverage set to start from 6.10pm AEDT.
The main event is estimated to start around 9.45pm AEDT.
HOW CAN I WATCH SBW vs HUNT?
You can order the pay-per-view now, only on Stan.
The fight is available to all Stan subscribers and new subscribers can enjoy a 30 day free trial.
SBW, Hunt square off at presser
WHAT IS THE FULL FIGHT CARD FOR SBW vs HUNT?
Travis Druce vs Cole Smith, heavyweight, four rounds
Nathan Singh vs Robert Lale, lightweight, five rounds
Abdul Abdulrahman vs Malakai Marama, super middleweight, four rounds
Isaac Meehan vs Kenny Niko, heavyweight, four rounds
Michael Seko vs Junior Tafa, heavyweight, four rounds
Tevita Pangai Jr vs Jeremiah Tupai-Ui, heavyweight, four rounds
Sonny Bill Williams vs Mark Hunt, heavyweight, eight rounds
WHAT IS THE VENUE FOR SBW vs HUNT?
The fight night is being held at the Aware Super Theatre in Sydney’s International Convention Centre.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS FOR SBW vs HUNT?
As of Friday 1pm AEDT, Palmerbet had Sonny Bill Williams as a $1.10 favourite.
Mark Hunt was listed at $6.50, with a draw paying $17.
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Source by wwos.nine.com.au
