NRL STARS CLASH AT BATTLE ON THE REEF PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF HUGE STAN PPV

October 5, 2023 - A heated press conference hosted by veteran MC Andy Raymond took place in Townsville today, featuring all of the NRL and boxing superstars ​ in the highly anticipated Battle on the Reef Pay-Per-View this Saturday night, live & exclusive on Stan from 6:30pm AEDT.
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​It was a fired up Tevita Pangai Jr who stole the headlines, pulling no punches with his ominous warning to Frank Amato ahead of their professional bout.
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​"I'm here to prove my doubters and haters wrong. The media are always telling me what to do. I'm sick of taking orders off halfbacks and coaches. Make sure you're ready", said Pangai Jr, who sensationally recently gave up his successful NRL career to pursue professional boxing full time.
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​Dolphins star Jarrod Wallace similarly made his intentions clear as he showed no fear, despite being faced with the intimidating task of taking on the biggest man in the NRL, Melbourne Storm's Nelson Asofa-Solomona. "Why not go up against the biggest guy in Australia?", Wallace mused, before Asofa-Solomona, also on debut, fired back "I'm here to make it an early night for him. I'm nervous, but excited. And an excited fighter is a dangerous fighter".
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​Battle on the Reef Pay-Per-View on Saturday 7 October will be available to watch and order only on Stan.

Former NRL superstar and champion Ben Hannant kicked things off with a bold proclamation of "Let's see if we can make an upset", against his more fancied opponent in North Queensland Cowboys hometown hero Jason Taumalolo.
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​Jabs of the verbal variety were also thrown between former NRL stars and Origin rivals Matt Cooper and Justin Hodges. "We never did (fight on the field)… I think he was a bit afraid of losing", said Hodges, as he and Cooper traded retorts.
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​But it was Olympian and undefeated pro boxer Paulo Aokuso who had the final word ahead of his main event bout for the IBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title with Argentinian Gabriel Omar Diaz, "This is big, this is massive for me. I'm going to put on a show for you guys".
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​The most electrifying crossover boxing event in Australian sports history will see a selection of rugby league's biggest names go toe-to-toe, in addition to some established boxing superstars, with upcoming title challenger 'Pretty Boy' Michael Zerafa breaking down all the action on broadcast.

Also in action in professional bouts are Jermaine Pangai, the younger brother of Tevita, as the 19-year-old looks to show why experts speak so highly of the teen as he takes on Nepote Dawadawa, and Austin Aokuso, younger brother of Paulo, who looks to extend his own undefeated streak as he battles Filimoni Naliva Jr.

FULL BATTLE ON THE REEF CARD (bouts and order subject to change)
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​​- Paulo Aokuso v Gabriel Omar Diaz for the IBO Intercontinental Light-Heavyweight Title
​​- Jason Taumalolo v Reagan Campbell-Gillard (heavyweight)
​- Tevita Pangai Junior v Frank Amato (heavyweight)
​​- Nelson Asofa-Solomona v Jarrod Wallace (heavyweight)
​​- Junior Paulo v Ben Hannant (heavyweight)
​​- Justin Hodges v Matt Cooper (heavyweight)
​​- Jermaine Pangai v Nepote Dawadawa (heavyweight)
​- Austin Aokuso v Filimoni Naliva Jr (cruiserweight)
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​Battle on the Reef is promoted by Fightr Promotions via Dynamic Sports, a leading sports marketing agency with a wealth of experience in boxing events. Led by Dan Janiszewski and Nick Livermore, Fightr builds on Stan's successful entry to the Pay-Per-View space with marquee fights including Sonny Bill Williams' showdowns with Barry Hall and Mark Hunt.
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​To order and watch the Battle on the Reef Pay-Per-View customers will need an active Stan subscription. Stan subscribers can order the Pay-Per-View for $50. New customers can sign up for a 30 day free trial and then order the Pay-Per-View for $50.
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​Pre-order Battle on the Reef here.

For more information, contact Stan Publicity: stan.publicity@stan.com.au

For all Stan publicity assets, please go to: www.stan.news ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

Key Contacts for media enquiries:

Promoter
​Dan Janiszewski
​0401 741 411
​dj@dynamic.com.au ​
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​Promoter
​Nicholas Livermore
​0413 584 953
​nl@dynamic.com.au
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​Stan - PR & Comms
​Jason Evans
​0431 120 966
​jason.evans@stan.com.au