Boxing: Mundine backs Hopoate's ambition

Anthony Mundine has thrown his weight behind league bad boy John Hopoate's decision to take up professional boxing.

Mundine, the former St George-Illawarra star, believes Hopoate has the most important skill to become a great boxer.

"He is all heart. He has shown that on the football field.

"He is one of my best friends and I wish him all the best."

Hopoate's league career ended last month with a crunching hit on Cronulla's Keith Galloway which drew a 17-game suspension from the NRL judiciary.

His Manly club subsequently terminated his contract, gave him a payout, and offered to help the controversial star seek employment to support his wife and eight children.

Hopoate said he had been flooded with job offers, but he was determined to follow in the footsteps of Mundine and former team-mate Solomon Haumono and make a career out of boxing.

Mundine will fight to regain his world title in June while Hopoate, who is eyeing the Australian cruiserweight title by year's end, has already started training with respected conditioner Dave Millward in Sydney.