Willis Meehan


Willis Pele "The Hitman" Meehan is an Australian professional boxer. He previously played professional rugby league for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League. He played at and. He has been compared to good friend and another rugby league-boxer and former teammate Sonny Bill Williams.

Background

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Meehan moved to New South Wales, Australia, at a young age and played his junior football for the West Ryde Aliens and Wyong Roos before being signed by the Sydney Roosters.

Playing career

In 2013 and 2014, Meehan played for the Sydney Roosters' NYC team. In 2013, he played for the Australian Schoolboys. In Round 14 of the 2014 NRL season, Meehan made his NRL debut for the Roosters against the Newcastle Knights. On 2 September 2014, he was named at in the 2014 NYC Team of the Year. In 2015, Meehan was stood down by the Roosters after being charged with robbery in company and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sacked by the club in July 2015.

Boxing

As a 17-year-old, Meehan won the Australian super-heavyweight boxing title and hoped to fight at the Commonwealth Games, narrowly missing out. In 2016, he hopes to fight at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
On 31 January 2015, Meehan fought on the undercard of the Sonny Bill Williams v Chauncy Welliver bout.
On 15 November 2015, Meehan defeated Leamy Tato; however, the main event saw Meehan's father defeated by Joseph Parker.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
8Win8–0 Julián Esteban RuizKO1, 0:441 Mar 2019 The Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
7Win7–0 Richard NemethTKO1, 1:3617 Nov 2018 The Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
6Win6–0 Jonasa KavikaKO2, 2:136 Jul 2018 Roma Function Centre, Sydney, AustraliaWon vacant WBF Australasian heavyweight title
5Win5–0 Riki BarclayTKO1, 1:0227 Apr 2016 Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
4Win4–0 Leamy Lakopo TatoTKO2, 0:3015 Oct 2015 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
3Win3–0 Freddie Miller2, 2:4331 Jan 2015 Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia
2Win2–0 Alofa Solitua1, 1:283 Dec 2014 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
1Win1–0 Will Quarrie422 Nov 2014 North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

Personal life

Meehan is the son of professional boxer, Kali Meehan. He converted to Islam in 2015.
In April 2015, Meehan was charged with headbutting a man and stealing his watch near The Star, Sydney. However, he was not convicted after his robbery in company charge was thrown out. Meehan later revealed he had been working, while playing for the Roosters, as a stand-over man to settle debts for hardened criminals.