Ben Hannant wants to teach his eight kids things in life will scare them but they have what it takes to overcome those obstacles.
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That's why the two-time NRL premiership winner is preparing to fill a massive void and step into the ring against Canberra Raiders wrecking ball Josh Papalii on February 12.
The pair of heavyweights will collide on the All Stars Rugby League fight night at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
Papalii was originally slated to face Melbourne Storm giant Nelson Asofa Solomona but he was drafted back to pre-season training after struggling to get his weight under control.
Now Hannant will step up to the task against a 28-year-old determined to make his chance count after chasing a boxing fight for the past three years.
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"It's something I've wanted to do for a while, I just couldn't find the time to get the training and all that done, and then obviously the fight night as well," Papalii said.
"It's been a long three to four-year wait to actually get one. I just told my manager and we always had the clause in our contract with the Raiders to get it done, and we've finally got it done."
Papalii and Hannant locked horns five times in the NRL, with the latter walking away victorious on four occasions during his stints with Brisbane and the North Queensland Cowboys.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
