Curtis Scott says Joey Leilua was already “looking for a way out” when stopped in the second round of his highly anticipated Wollongong boxing debut – and now hopes to fight AFL legend Barry Hall.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Leilua was sent to hospital afterwards with a suspected fractured eye socket.
Only months after having his NRL return bid rejected, Scott has made a stunning entrance onto the Australian boxing scene — stopping Leilua with a big overhand left just 42 seconds into the second round of an entertaining slugfest at Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
Despite conceding almost 30kg and three fights to his rival, Scott was strong in the first round, enjoying plenty of success with his right hand, before finishing with the left in round two.
BOXING: Goodman v Schleibs, Hardman v Saavedra and Scott v Leilua | LIVE NOW – WED 13 MAR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Speaking afterwards, the former NSW Origin hopeful said he now plans to reach greater heights in the ring than he did on the footy field – which included a 2017 premiership with Melbourne Storm.
Scott also explained his reasons for calling out Hall, who only a week ago told Fox Sports Australia he wants make a return to boxing in 2024.
Scott drops Leilua in boxing debut | 00:56
Asked about the left hand that finished things, the fighter who had both Brock Jarvis and Johnny Lewis in his corner said: “I don’t even know what hand I hit him with to be honest, it all happened so quick.
“But I think it was a way out (for Leilua).
“I was hurting him with the jab.
“Could see his face starting to bust up.
“I split his nose open in the first round.
“He was bleeding, starting to taste his own blood and, yeah, I think he was looking for a way out.
“But credit to Joey.
“I’ve played against him a few times, met him when I was in Canberra.
“He’s a really good person.
“He might come across a bit arrogant but he’s a great bloke.
“The ultimate competitor.
“He’s similar to me, an aggressive bloke who doesn’t back down, wears his heart on his sleeve and I have absolutely no hard feeling against him.”
So as for Hall being next?
“I got tipped up that something could go ahead and he’s a big name,” Scott said.
Told he will almost certainly be giving up weight again, the former Stormer laughed: “Maybe I went off a bit early but I’m in the fight business now.
“And I’ve heard whispers he wants to jump in again so that could happen.
“I want to stay active.
“He’s a big name, it would be a nice one to get under the belt.
“I’m going to have a real crack at this.
“I wasn’t too happy with giving up 30 kilos so if I could find a way to fight around 90 kilos that would be great.
“But I’m here to rip in.”
Quizzed on his strong opening round, he said: “That’s just me, aggressive bloke.
“I never back down from anyone.
“So this has happened for a reason.
“The NRL knocked me back and opened the door for boxing.
“And this will take me to a much higher place.”
Schleibs shoves Goodman at weigh in! | 02:12
Scott added he had no problem with the weight discrepancy, despite initially being told Leilua would be weighing in much lighter.
“My mindset is different,” he explained.
“I’m cut from a different cloth.
“The average person might have been worried about it, but all my best mates up around 125kg and they’re the ones I spar so I backed myself.”
Scott added there was also a dispute with Team Leilua about who was walking to the ring first.
“But I didn’t care,” he said.
“Joey said he was coming out second so he came out second.
“Didn’t change anything.”
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