Joey Leilua says Chris Heighington is 'in trouble' when they get in the boxing ring
NRL centre Joey Leilua has warned Chris Heighington that he's "in trouble" when the two meet in the boxing ring next month.
"I'm going to go out there and box ... I don't know about Chris Heighington, but I know he's a good footy player," Leilua said at a press conference today.
Joey Leilua and Chris Heighington on Monday. Facebook
"He's a tough guy but all I know is Chris Heighington boxing? He's in trouble."
On the first night of a December double header, Heighington and Leilua will square up in another all footy player bout - before Paul Gallen and Josh Aloiai headline night two.
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"I've always liked challenging myself," Heighington said.
"It's going to be a test. He's younger, bigger, but I'll be ready on the night."
Joey Leilua warming up for a match during his two-year stay at Wests Tigers. Getty
The dual premiership winner said sparring as a youngster helped him build his rugby league career and a professional ring appereance was something he always coveted.
"Joey's a good footy player, he's a powerful guy so I'm going to have to be on my game," Heighington said.
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Leilua, who is still on the hunt for a new club in 2022, gave a frank admission on how the fight came about.
"Do you want to know the real answer? I just got a text saying 'do you want to fight?' and I said 'Yeah I'll take the fight'," he said as the crowd laughed.
The former Dally M Centre of the Year said he'd been training six days a week and that it had been harder than rugby league.
"It's been tough ... consistently working your whole body every single day."
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