As if State of Origin couldn't get any spicier...
With Game 2 between New South Wales and Queensland on the horizon, there will be a bit of added flavour to the hotly-contested rivalry.
Blues big man Josh Papalii and Maroons bulldozer Junior Paulo head into the game knowing that they'll be clashing in the ring at some point in the near future.
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According to The Courier Mail, Papalii and Paulo have agreed to go toe-to-toe in a charity fight night at the beginning of next year.
It's understood the two forwards - who struck up a friendship while playing together at the Canberra Raiders - will headline the event, which includes a number of big-name NRL stars on the undercard.
And in an added bonus, reports from The Courier Mail and Newscorp suggest that the Raiders have given Papalii the green light to fight and the Parramatta Eels have granted permission for Paulo to lace up the gloves.
And with Paulo weighing a reported 123kg and Papalii sitting at 112kg, it's no surprise that the fight will be at heavyweight.
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It turns out Paulo has already had a taste of professional boxing following his loss to former New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen back in 2016.
As for Papalli, this mouth-watering match-up would be his ring debut.
"Junior is a good friend of mine," Papalii said.
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"So I don't know if I could fight a friend. But I am keen to have a fight at some stage. Once this Origin camp is over, I'd like to give it a shot."
Featured Image Credit: NRL, Canberra Raiders, Parramatta EelsTopics: Boxing, Rugby League, nrl, Australia
