Former footy star brutally knocks out his opponent in just 27 seconds during his professional boxing debut
- Manu Vatuvei won his first professional boxing match in less than 30 seconds
- New Zealand Warriors star took on David ‘Brown Buttabean’ Letele on Saturday
- Letele tapped out after copping a right uppercut and right hook 27 seconds in
- He wished the former footballer the best in his career and said he was doing ok
New Zealand Warriors star Manu Vatuvei has made an impact at his professional boxing debut, taking out his opponent in just 27 seconds.
Vatuvei 32, won his first fight against New Zealander David ‘Brown Buttabean’ Letele in Christchurch on Saturday, finishing with a right uppercut and a right hook that floored Letele.
After hitting the canvas, Letele, 39, pulled out of the fight, telling the referee he could not continue.
The New Zealander is a seasoned fighter, with a 16-3 record. He won his past five fights in a row, but Saturday marked his first match after nearly two years out of the ring.
Manu Vatuvei (pictured right) knocked down opponent David ‘Brown Buttabean’ Letele in just 27 seconds on Saturday night
Despite the upset, Letele had no ill will towards his underdog opponent.
Taking to Instagram after the fight, he said Vatuvei was a ‘great guy’, and wished him the best in his boxing career.
‘I’m fine, I just want to thank everyone who supported me,’ he said.
‘It’s how you recover, it’s how you recover from times like this – this is just one of those things in life
‘I’ll keep pushing forward – that’s just what you do.’
Vatuvei was also a star on the NRL field, and is the only player to score 10 or more tries in 10 consecutive seasons.
The professional boxer was gracious in defeat, telling the New Zealand Warriors star he wished him all the best, and telling supporters he would
He was the top try scorer for the New Zealand Warriors, and has represented the country at an international level.
He told Nine’s Wide World of Sport he would be interested in fighting fellow footballer-turned-boxer Paul Gallen – but not just yet.
Gallen, who enjoyed a lengthy career with the Cronulla Sharks, has won all eight of his professional fights.
‘That’s something I want to do but I need a lot more experience and a lot more fights to get to where he is,’ Vatuvei said.
Vitavei wants to take on fellow footballer-turned-boxer Paul Gallen – but not until he’s won a few more fights