Exiled NRL star Curtis Scott will throw down against Joey Leilua in his professional heavyweight debut, with the fellow rugby league bad boy stepping up amid “running scared” allegations.
No Limit will today announce Scott and Leilua are set to compete on the undercard of a March 13 Pay-Per-View headlined by undefeated Australian title challenger Sam Goodman.
Goodman, who is a No.1 ranked super bantamweight, will put his mandatory world title placing on the line when he faces popular Melburnian Mark Schleibs in an all-Australian showdown.
Elsewhere, Aussie middleweight Issac Hardman will take on big punching Venezuelan Endry Saavedra.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia at the weekend, Scott accused NRL stars of “running scared” as he tried to chase a professional boxing debut – and even offered Tevita Pangai Jnr the opportunity to throw hands with him.
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The challenge arrives less than two months after having his bid for an NRL return dismissed.
Back in December, the controversial 26-year-old was denied an NRL return following his string of off-field issues and court battles, and was subsequently talked up for a switch to the English Super League.
However, the former NSW Origin hopeful has now turned his attention to boxing and is so serious about a professional career he is training alongside Aussie fighter Brock Jarvis.
Asked about his career switch, Scott said: “I’m dirty on the NRL.
“I’m pursuing boxing now.
“And I’m keen to see how far I can take it.”
The 2019 Prime Minister’s XIII player added that he had been unable to scure an opponent, adding: “It’s frustrating because I know plenty of people wanted to put one on me not so long ago.
“Yet now they have a chance to actually do something about it everyone is running scared.
“I’ve seen and read plenty of negative stuff people have said about me online.
“But no one ever says anything to my face.
“I’m not surprised though; everyone acts tough behind a keyboard or a phone these days.
“But there’s a heap of fighters out there who I could be matched with.
“So I’ll leave it all up to George to figure out.
“I know Tevita is up there in Brisbane training too.
“I don’t know what his plans are but why not?
“This isn’t about anybody else though, it’s about me.
“I’m just keen to get in the ring and show people what I’ve been working on. I’m going to give it absolutely everything.”
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A 2017 Melbourne premiership winner, Scott was regarded as a future NSW Origin player before his career derailed over a string of off-field incidents.
In 2022, the footballer was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order after being found guilty of three charges against his ex-girlfriend — assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and stalk or intimidate with the intention of causing fear or physical harm.
Scott had also been sacked by the Canberra Raiders in 2021 following a nightclub incident for which he was later cleared in court.
The centre also won a Group 6 premiership with Thirlmere Roosters last season.
Leilua, meanwhile, has already had two professional fights since leaving the NRL, including a unanimous decision win over Chris Heighington in 2021.
After a stint playing in the UK, Leilua fought for a second time in December — a first round KO against Paul Ben – and was said to be eyeing off a bout against Matt Lodge.