Another ex rugby league and St George Illawarra player trying to hit it big in the boxing world.
Solomon HaumonoBouts: 14
KO: 14
Losses: 0
Drawn: 0
From:
http://www.news.com....5001023,00.htmlHaumono is a knockout
By Iain Payten
December 12, 2007 12:00am
SOLOMON Haumono would love to be refining his ringcraft, moving, weaving and conquering the battle of mind over fatigue deep into the rounds.
The main problem is his right hand. It keeps knocking blokes out.
Since returning to the ring in 2007 after a five-year absence, the former NRL enforcer has unleashed such ferocity he's dispatched five opponents in the space of seven rounds. In total.
As he attempts to continue his boxing education, Haumono has made such a habit of leaving opponents toes up on the canvas with the opening bell still reveberating that he has spent just sixteen minutes inside the ring this year.
On Monday night Seiaute Mailata became the latest victim of Haumono's devastating right, sent sprawling onto his back with a badly busted nose and a vista of stars.
"I was just fortunate,'' Haumono said yesterday. "I expected him to come forward and I was going to counter but he was a bit cautious. I got him once and then I seen his eyes. I knew he was in trouble.''
Had he been seeing one Haumono instead of three, Mailata might have realised too. The Samoan ended up like Haumono's 12 other professional foes but the scalp of the respected Mailata - who lost on points to former world title challenger Ed Mahone last month - may now serve to kickstart the world title hopes of the former NRL star.
Still ranked only third in the country, Haumono is now keen to fight for the Australian heavyweight title and despite the brevity of his ring time, trainer Johnny Lewis endorses the goal.
"Now is the time to take the shackles off him and let him go for it. There is a good side and a down side (to Haumono's knockout power),'' Lewis says. "Inevitably we are going to be taken to a position where we haven't been yet. But Sol is first and foremost an athlete. He'd handle the (12) rounds no worries.''
Critics have, also inevitably, called on the 32-year-old to start taking on bigger Aussie names like Bob Mirovic and Colin Wilson. Camp Haumono say they've struggled to pin down experienced foes this year, likely due to that right hand.
"But I am keen to step up. I would love to fight for an Australian title,'' Haumono asserts. "My father (Maile) was an Australian champion, and he's a hero to me.''
It's been a good year in the ring but a tough year for the deeply religious Haumono and his family, after his father was charged with a serious assault earlier this year.
"It's sad,'' Haumono says softly. "Dad is a lovely man, he's a humble man. He is not a thug, he is a gentleman.''
Lewis, who once watched Maile Haumono and Tony Mundine senior spar as sons Solomon and Anthony sat nearby in nappies, says Haumono's power reminds him of former world champ Jeff Harding.
"He is a wicked puncher, but he's also got a lovely left jab that'll stand him in good stead when he steps up a class,'' Lewis says.
An aborted association with Don King in 2003 could end seeing Haumono's handlers end up bringing international fighters to Australia, but like a true brawler, Haumono says it's anyone, anywhere.
"If (an Aussie title fight) doesn't arise, then I am not going to get stuck,'' he said. "I will go beyond that. If I'm ready to hit the international scene, then I'll hit it hard.''
World, you've been warned.
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Topic: Pro Rugby Vs. Nfl Players (Read 577 times)