New Featherstone Rovers signing set for major rearranged fight

New Featherstone Rovers signing Joey Leilua will be fighting against Chris Heighington on 22 December.

The fight was initially set to be held on 10 December, but Leilua was struck down by COVID-19, as was sparring partner Josh Aloiai whose fight with Paul Gallen has now been called off.

29-year-old centre Leilua has been a key figure in the NRL for the past decade or so, but found himself edged out by the Wests Tigers as his contract ran down.

That led Leilua to launch a passionate rant at Wests boss Michael Maguire over the lack of communication in his final few weeks at the club.

But, the Samoan international – who has been capped 15 times by his country – did not have another offer from the prestigious Australian competition.

Instead, Leilua signed a one-year contract with Championship side Featherstone Rovers in a surprise career lifeline, but COVID-19 will not stop the former Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders heavyweight head into the boxing ring later in December.

He shared a post from his boxing gym, the Final Round gym, which stated: “Can’t keep a good man down. 22nd December he bring the fire.”

The Championship in 2022 is set to be one of the most impressive and entertaining in history.