Trust a Toowoomba boy to take the fight nobody else wanted.
Just 48 hours after Fox Sports Australia revealed there wasn’t an NRL player anywhere wanted to throw hands with Tongan World Cup star Siosiua Taukeiaho, a lone hand has finally shot up.
That of retired South Sydney enforcer Jaiman Lowe.
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“Although I actually said yes before knowing exactly who I was fighting against,” Lowe told Fox Sports Australia with a laugh.
“Which probably doesn’t make this the smartest decision.
“But I’m here.
“And to be honest, surprised nobody else wanted it.”
Now aged 39, and spending his days moving containers at a Townsville port, Lowe has agreed to throw down with Taukeiaho on the undercard of Paul Gallen’s hyped Sydney farewell next Wednesday.
Which is apt.
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Especially when recalling how back in 2011, and after being told he was no longer up to NRL standard, it was this same Queensland tough pouring schooners behind a bar when he took a call.
That time, from another fella you might know – Craig Bellamy.
Which is how within the space of two years, Lowe went from hardworking barman to NRL premiership winner with Storm.
Wonderfully, this old school enforcer is no stranger to throwing them either.
With Lowe – among the last men to ever wear electrical tape around his head in the NRL – having famously kayoed Gold Coast’s Brett Delaney, thrown down with Ryan Hoffman and even rushed from the bench for the infamous Battle of Brookvale.
In recent years, the father-of-three has also undertaken a handful of charity boxing fights and, in June, made his professional boxing debut – eventually losing to undefeated John Maila via third round TKO.
“But everything about that night,” Lowe says, “I loved”.
Which is why when promoter George Rose called him at work this week to enquire about a fight, before even knowing the name of his opponent he said yes.
Then immediately, when home to tell his three daughters the news.
“And my oldest Jordan is 17, so she thought it was great,” Lowe says.
“While my youngest Indie is only five, so she doesn’t really know what’s going on …”
But his middle girl?
“That’s Dakotah, 14,” he cackles.
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“When I gave her Taukeiaho’s name she went straight to Google.
“Then after a few moments, she looked up and said ‘dad, you’re going to get killed’.”
But worry?
“Mate, I’ve got nothing to lose,” Lowe says simply.
“I’ve never seen the guy fight so I’m certainly not going to say he can’t.
“But so far all I know is what I’ve read about him.
“So I can understand why nobody wants the fight. Especially professional boxers who are early on in their careers.
“When you’re trying to protect a record, you don’t really want to take on somebody who is so unknown.
“But I’m not building a career here.
“That’s why when the opportunity came up, I took it.
“I don’t want to be one of those old guys sitting at the bar saying what I could’ve done.”
Lowe’s decision to fight has also been welcomed by No Limit CEO Rose, who feared nobody would step up to face the man being dubbed both TKO and ‘The Next Paul Gallen’.
“We have a fight and it’s going to be a cracker,” Rose said.
“I was pretty surprised somebody accepted so late … I thought our chances of getting Taukeiaho a fight were gone.
“But Jaiman, he’s an extremely tough debut for TKO.
“He won a premiership with Melbourne under Bellyache and never shied away from the tough stuff.
“Even pushed the line on occasion.
“I’ve been told to expect bombs, so I can’t wait for these two big boys to go at it.”
So as for what Lowe expects from his rival?
“Ah, a big overhand right that you don’t want to get hit flush by,” he laughs.
“But a right hand is also my biggest asset too. So I’m not expecting this one to go the distance.”
