Former NZ Warriors star Wairangi Koopu and double World Cup-winning All Black Keven Mealamu will square off in the boxing ring, when the Fight For Life charity event returns in July.
Originally scheduled for March 31, the event has been moved back to July 21, due to COVID-19 restrictions, with Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium hosting the promotion's return, after an absence of more than four years.
Koopu and Mealamu headline the event, with more undercard fights to be announced at a later date.
Koopu will make his second appearance at Fight For Life and first since 2011 when he defeated former Māori All Black and NZ sevens rep Matua Parkinson.
"I actually did this - the Fight For Life - about 10 years ago," Koopu told AM.
"When the call came from Monts [Monty Betham], who's training Kev, to be involved and I suppose step in the ring against one of the All Black legends in Keven Mealamu, it was an opportunity to get in there, test myself again and see what happens.
"We've got six weeks from now. The event's stopped and started the last six months, so I've started training and then stopped training.
"In terms of boxing, I try to keep myself as fit as possible and I know Kev does as well.
"Come July 21, I'll be ready to go. I'll be looking forward to it.
"I've seen the card and as they get announced over the next couple of weeks, I'll be ready to go."
The 42-year-old played 159 matches for the Warriors during his NRL career, along with three tests for the Kiwis and four matches for NZ Māori.
Koopu's trainer for the fight will be professional MMA fighter Rod McSwain, who has ties to Auckland's City Kickboxing gym.
Meanwhile, Mealamu is a veteran of 132 tests for the All Blacks, including the victorious 2011 and 2015 World Cup campaigns.
Making his debut in the ring, Mealamu, 43, insists he's committed to a new career as a fighter, with, former rugby league star-turned New Zealand cruiserweight champion Betham as trainer.
"By all accounts, Keven has been going well against pros in the gym and Monty rates him highly," promoter Dean Lonergan said.
This year's Fight For Life will raise funds for mental health and suicide prevention charity 'I Am Hope', founded by Mike King.
"When Fight for Life first began, it was raising money for youth suicide prevention with Yellow Ribbon," King said.
"It's fitting that, with Dean's return, we also return to its roots, once again raising money to prevent youth suicide and improve mental health. We are excited to be a part of that.
"It is encouraging to see big events like this get behind our rangatahi."
