John HOPOATE [
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Thu May 18, 2006
by Matthew O'Neill
Rugby League bad boy turned Boxer John Hopoate has challenged former Penrith and Australian forward Mark Geyer for a fight in the boxing ring.
Hopoate turned to Boxing after another lengthy suspension last year ended his infamous Rugby League career. Hopoate made his professional debut last night and took only 47 seconds to dispose of his heavier and more experienced opponent.
The real action occured after the fight when Hopoate turned his attention to Geyer, who was also a hot blooded bad boy during his playing days and is now a media critic for Rugby League Week, the Sunday Roast on Channel Nine and the weekend Talkin Sport show on 2SM.
Hopoate when asked about his next fight said,
"To tell the truth, if he's up to it I'd like to challenge Mark Geyer.
"He's been a player and I know he hates being bagged, but for him to go sit behind a magazine and bag other players, I don't like that.
"So if he wants to take me on I'm ready. We could even do it in a cage or for charity, whatever he wants."Commenting on his performance in the ring, Hopoate fired a small broadside at the NRL when he said,
"I knew the NRL wouldn't give me 12 weeks for getting into this ring, so I was happy with the outcome.
"I wanted to finish it off early so I could go home a bit earlier."Geyer who played for Penrith between 1987-92 and 1998-2000, Balmain in 1993 and Western Reds between 1995-97 while also appearing in three State of Origin matches and three Test matches is yet to respond to the Hopoate challenge.
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2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
2 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 1 [13 Mar 05] W 26-20 v Warriors (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t (50th) [View] Round 2 [20 Mar 05] W 46-20 v Sharks (H). [WG] Injury: Striking - referred to judiciary Guilty, 17 matches
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2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
2 games; [View] Round 1 [13 Mar 04] W 24-20 v Cowboys (A). [BE] [View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] L 20-42 v Roosters (H). [BE]
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