Promoters have planted the seeds for a cross-code war which could pit NRL and AFL greats against each other in a boxing ring to fight for sporting supremacy.
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Boxing promoter Nick Livermore says he is working towards a date in May after being asked about the prospect of an all-star fight night involving rivals from different codes.
"Watch this space. We're planned for May," Livermore said.
It comes in the wake of a successful All Stars Footy Rivals card in Townsville on Friday night, a card stacked with NRL premiership winners, State of Origin heroes and Dally M winners.
The event was bereft of a big fight feel, but that mattered little to a near-capacity crowd. Excitement remained at fever pitch as men who made their name on a rugby league field traded passes for punches and cut-outs for uppercuts.
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"You saw what those 12 guys put on, the crowd was absolutely pumped. We had Junior Paulo show what he can do. All of them want to go around again," Livermore said after he delivered the event alongside Dean Lonergan's D&L Events.
"We're going to go again in Townsville, this is the place to have it. The city has backed it. People showed up. There is no reason to go anywhere else. Let's do it all again.
"If we go post NRL season, that makes it a little easier. The guys don't have to juggle pre-season training. Let's see what happens with the league World Cup, and certainly, put it on in October.
"Otherwise we'll go again this time next year. Based on what we saw, I think there will be a few more boys itching to get in the ring."
Todd Carney and Scott Prince have already spoken about a rematch after battling to a majority draw. Craig Gower got the better of his former Australian Kangaroos roommate Matt Bowen.
Sandor Earl shut out Justin Hodges in a unanimous decision victory and it may well be the start of the former winger's new sporting endeavour - all it took was six weeks of training and he fell in love with boxing, while Willie Mason edged out hometown hero Sam Thaiday.
Josh Papalii beat Ben Hannant via decision in the main event, with the only stoppage coming courtesy of Junior Paulo's booming punching power against Neville Costigan.
The Parramatta front-rower won via a devastating knockout 33 seconds into the second round to leave the door open for a future rematch with Paul Gallen.
"Gal has done enormous things in the sport of boxing. Maybe if I transition into boxing at the end of my career, I'll leave it open if he is still boxing," Paulo said.
"Footy is still my main focus. It's not like I'm going to hang up the boots and chase a career in boxing, I've still got to do my job. Maybe at the end of my career, I might transition.
"Credit to the Eels for allowing me to take part in this awesome event. I was able to return in good shape to pre-season, and that pays off from the boxing I've done."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
