Former All Blacks and Blues midfielder Sam Tuitupou has carried his reputation for hard hitting into the ring on Thursday night, scoring the knockout of the night at the Fight for Life charity boxing event in Auckland.
Tuitupou, 41, needed less than 10 seconds to send NRL great Roy Asotasi tumbling to the canvas at Eventfinda Stadium, kicking off the card in scintillating fashion.
After the opening bell, the former Kiwis and Samoa representative met Tuitupou in the middle with his defences dangerously low and immediately paid the price.
Tuitupou - who was renowned as one of the most devastating tacklers in world rugby during his prime - quickly identified his opening.
He unleashed a sharp combination which started with a stiff overhand right and ended with a pinpoint left-right cross that landed flush on the button, instantly switching Asotasi's lights off and sending him prone to the canvas.
Asotasi managed to get back to his feet but the referee wasted no time waving off the fight, handing Tuitupou a memorable boxing debut.
Jerome Pampellone was another contending for KO of the night, scoring a first-round finish against Mose Auimatagi Jr to strengthen his case for a high-profile light heavyweight bout, as he continues his climb up the IBF rankings.
Former Warriors forward Sione Faumuona squared the ledger for the rugby league contingent with a decision win over sevens legend DJ Forbes, before ex-All Blacks loosie Liam Messam earned the judges' nod over Brisbane Broncos great Justin Hodges to clinch bragging rights in the battle of the codes.
In the main event, Mea Motu earned a unanimous decision win over Canada's Tania Walters to win the IBO world super bantamweight title.
