Boxing: Haumono off undercard

Former league star turned boxer Solomon Haumono. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - An untimely arm injury has put another delay in the stop-start career of rugby league star turned boxer Solomon Haumono, who is off the big card in Auckland tonight.

Haumono broke his arm the weekend before last and was forced to withdraw from a clash with seasoned Puerto Rican heavyweight Israel Garcia, on the David Tua-Friday Ahunanya undercard at the Trusts Stadium.

The 34-year-old Australian has endured an up-and-down time as a professional fighter despite boasting an impressive 17-1-1, 15 KOs record.

The former powerhouse rugby league forward won his first 15 professional fights by KO despite a near five-year hiatus in his pugilistic career.

However, he was held to a draw by veteran Colin Wilson in March 2009.

He won his next fight against Royce Cio on a disqualification after being knocked down by his opponent, who hit him twice while he was on the canvas.

Haumono lost his unbeaten record in a 10 round split decision to Victorian Justin Whitehead in August 2009, before returning to the winners' circle with a stoppage victory over Sydneysider Michael Kirby to win the OPBF heavyweight title in September 2009.
Former world title contender Tua (50-3-1), 43 KOs, will be defending his WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental heavyweight titles against Ahunanya.

American-based Nigerian Ahunanya (24-5-3), 13 KOs, was the first man to inflict a professional defeat on New Zealand's other leading heavyweight Shane Cameron, who Tua demolished in two rounds last October.

- AAP