Parramatta Eels have confirmed that their freight train prop, Junior Paulo, will not be missing out on the entire NRL preseason to continue with his fight training, as it was reported on Sunday.
27-year-old Paulo, quite an inexperienced boxer, will be fighting Neville Costigan at the All Stars Rugby League fight night in Townsville on February 12.
Paulo said continuing his boxing training instead of resuming with the Eels would make him a better football player this year, and he had hoped that Brad Arthur was okay with this choice.
However, the Parramatta Eels have denied these plans in a four-part tweet on Sunday afternoon.
"The Parramatta Eels would like to clarify some media reports today regarding Junior Paulo," they wrote on Twitter.
"The Eels and Junior Paulo have always maintained that his first priority is to be ready for our trial against the Panthers in February.
"All of his training is being monitored and overseen by the Eels high performance department to make sure his ready for the 2021 season.
"Junior will be returning to pre-season training in January as agreed."
Earlier on Sunday it was reported that Paulo planned to train full-time with his boxing regime claiming it made him a better footballer.
"I am two weeks into a seven-week fight camp and I am hoping to continue the boxing training full-time," Paulo told The Daily Telegraph.
"I have been training six days a week and I am hoping I will be able to continue instead of returning to the Eels pre-season.
"I haven't heard back yet but I am hoping he (Eels coach Brad Arthur) will be okay with it. I think he knows that the preparation I am doing for this fight will have me coming back at my best for the season."
Well, it appears not.
Paulo first debuted his boxing career in 2016 when he knocked out Cronulla Sharks legend Paul Gallen during a charity fight.
"I am training harder than ever and it will be the best preparation I can have for the 2021 season," he said.
"The fittest I have ever been is before my fight in 2016 and I respond well to the different style training. I think Brad knows that this type of training will have me at my best for the start of the season."
Paulo says that he is in huge preparation after finding out he would be meeting former rugby league player Neville Costigan in the ring.
"I have seen him play and I have also been told he can throw his hands. It will definitely be a good battle come fight night. You have to have respect for anyone that steps in the ring and I certainly will not be taking him lightly."
Paulo who has two years left on his contract with Parramatta has also shared his desires to box full time post-NRL.
A grudge match with State of Origin opposer, Jai Arrow could be on the cards, with Paulo admitting he would like to test himself against the Queenslander in the ring.
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/parramatta-eels-junior-paulo-nrl-preseason-boxing-news/651fa65b-40e5-4596-855a-e66a75a2c3c7
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