Turf War, Stan’s first pay-per-view event, aired on March 23rd, and saw Sonny Bill Williams emerge as the victor over rival Barry Hall. The match was available to stream for subscribers for $50.
The two champions returned to the ICC Sydney Aware Super Theatre to headline the 7-card Turf War clash. Dual rugby international superstar Sonny Bill Williams won in the first round, dropping his rival Hall three times and delivering a KO to claim victory.
The Turf War fight started eventually after 10.30pm as the lengthy boxing undercard ran well overtime. When the bell to start the first round of Sonny Bill Williams v Barry Hall rang the fight was over within three minutes.
Stan chief executive Martin Kugeler told Mediaweek this morning that the number of subscribers “by far exceeded Stan’s expectations”.
Kugeler added: “There were no technical challenges. We were planning for high numbers and we had scaled the platform to handle big numbers. We got high volumes signing up in a short period of time and the team did a fantastic job making it all to work. We couldn’t be happier today.”
As to when Stan might hold it’s next PPV event. Kugeler told us: “Nothing to announce yet.”
He noted speculation about Sonny Bill Williams taking on Paul Gallen (who was watching ringside). “That would be a massive fight between two superstars. [If it happened] that would be a massive fight.”
Joining Gallen ringside were people such as rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns, radio host and comedian Dave Hughes, Hollywood actor Damon Herriman, ex Roosters, NSW and Australian captain Boyd Cordner and current star Angus Crichton, plus Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Chairman Nick Politis. Stars of the Stan Original Series Bump, including Nathalie Morris and Carlos Sanson Jr attended the fight, alongside Stan Sport Rugby commentators and ex Wallabies players Drew Mitchell, Morgan Turin, and Justin Harrison. Stan Sport Football commentator and former star goalkeeper Mark Bosnich attended the event, as well as former cricket captain Steve Waugh, NSW Waratahs rugby stars including captain Jake Gordon, and Stan ambassadors Roxy Jacenko and Renee Bargh.
In the first fight of the night, Victorian Khalid Baker defeated Filimoni Naliva Jr with a round 3 TKO. The second fight went the full six rounds, as Bilal Akkawy defeated Sebastian Singh with a unanimous points win.
The clash between Terry Nickolas and Jason Medawar saw Nickolas victorious in the fourth round. After a six-round clash, Michael Hall beat Mitchel Stapleton, and the catchweight clash proved a win for Rahim Mundine, son of Anthony Mundine. In the final undercard of the night, Paul Fleming defeated Jackson England.
• Khalid Baker v Filimoni Naliva Jr (Cruiserweight) WINNER: Khalid Baker, winner by TKO Rd 3
• Bilal Akkawy v Sebastian Singh (Cruiserweight) WINNER: Bilal Akkawy, winner by unanimous decision
• Terry Nickolas v Jason Medawar (Super Welterweight) WINNER: Terry Nickolas, winner by TKO Rd 4
• Mitchel Stapleton v Michael Hall (Welterweight) WINNER: Michael Hall, winner by unanimous decision
• Rahim Mundine v Lepani Levatia (Catchweight) WINNER: Rahim Mundine, winner by unanimous decision
• Paul Fleming v Jackson England (Super Featherweight) WINNER: Paul Fleming, winner by unanimous decision
Hosted by Darren McMullen, Turf War special guests included boxing royalty George Kambosos Junior, Danny Green, Anthony Mundine, and commentary from Andy Raymond, Chris McCullen with Renee Gartner, and Seb Costello.
Turf War is promoted by Green Machine, led by four time world champion Danny Green, together with Khoder Nasser’s SBW Promotions.