Monday 17 December 2012 2:05 PM
Manu Vatuvei has been handed another bouquet after his big-time boxing debut in Saturday night's Fight For Life. Photo: Photosport.
The 26-year-old nine-season Vodafone Warriors veteran looked every bit the part when he faced Olympic rowing champion Eric Murray, doing his bit to raise awareness about the prostate cancer cause.
In Sydney’s Daily Telegraph today, senior writer Nick Walshaw liked what he saw of the event, noting: “No wonder this annual Fight For Life show is quickly becoming the biggest thing in New Zealand since Wal Footrot.”
Of Vatuvei’s fight with Murray, he wrote: “First, New Zealand’s unmistakable Smiling Assassin went and dropped an impressive six kilos for this fight. Then he entered the squared circle and, with a string of strong body shots, delivered the greatest fighting performance from a pick ‘n’ swinger since ... well, ever.”