Cult hero NRL star Brandon Smith set for shock sporting switch as ‘Hectic Cheese’ looks to stamp himself as one of the most popular characters in Aussie sport
- Smith is set to ‘cross over’ to boxing
- NRL star could be the ‘next Paul Gallen’
- Boxing promoter lauds his ‘charisma’
NRL cult hero Brandon Smith is set for a shock sporting switch to boxing.
The 26-year-old, who is poised to make his first official start for the Sydney Roosters on March 5 after making his name with the Melbourne Storm, is no stranger to the ring.
As a youngster, Smith reportedly once knocked out a New Zealand amateur champion.
No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose firmly believes the Kiwi international could juggle sporting pursuits like Paul Gallen, whose first bout was in 2012 against one-time All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot.
Gallen, 41, openly stated he boxed purely to make money – and the Sharks premiership-winner is said to have generated a whopping $25 million from the fight game.
NRL cult hero Brandon Smith is set for a shock sporting switch to boxing in a similar vein to Paul Gallen
No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose firmly believes Smith would hold his own in the ring – and be a hit with fans
‘Cheese (Smith) said he loved the No Limit shows, and eventually we got talking about his own background in boxing,’ Rose said.
‘He definitely has that base, has that amateur experience.
‘He’s also the type of guy who has the charisma to be like Paul Gallen was for boxing here in Australia.
‘If you look across the NRL now and ask yourself who has that capability to be a boxing Pay Per View star…yeah, I think the Cheese might be it.’
Given Gallen’s success as a prized fighter, Rose is happy to promote crossover athletes – as well as spruik world class talent like Tim Tszyu.
‘We know there is genuine interest there,’ Rose said when it comes to making fights involving NRL stars like Smith a reality.
‘If you put the right fights on, and with the right people, the appetite is definitely there.’
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