From Fox sports
Mason cruises to victory
By James Dampney
March 07, 2007 LES Mason, the older brother of rugby league star Willie Mason, commenced his professional boxing career with a crushing victory at Sydney Entertainment Centre.
The undercard to the title fight between Anthony Mundine, the country's highest-profile boxer, and Sam Soliman was dominated by former rugby league players, with John Hopoate and Solomon Haumono also claiming victories.
But Mason made the biggest impression - in more ways than one.
The 27-year-old heavyweight stands 200cm and weighs 124.1kg, a full 25kg more than his journeyman opponent tonight, John Justice.
With brother Willie watching in the stands alongside former dual rugby international Wendell Sailor, Mason wasted little time, forcing referee Brian McMahon to stop the fight just 1min 59sec into the opening round.
The decision was met with a chorus of boos from a pumped-up crowd hoping to see more from the debutant.
Mason, 34, said he had hoped his professional debut would last a little longer.
"I wanted it to be a bit more spectacular, but that's the way it goes," Mason said.
"You can't really plan these things, but I didn't expect him to stop it that early.
"I wanted to finish it in style.
"My first fight's out of the way now so now I can move on with it."
Former Wests Tigers and Manly plager Haumono put in the most polished display of the ex-footballers in his first fight in nearly five years, hammering veteran Fatu Tui Tuimanono.
Haumono has re-ignited his boxing career under legendary trainer Johnny Lewis, who is excited about his charge's potential.
Haumono knocked out the hapless Fijian inside the opening round to take his record to a perfect 9-0.
Former league bad boy Hopoate completed the treble, defeating Richard Tutaki from New Zealand with his sixth knockout in as many fights.
Tutaki put up some resistance, but Hopoate ended the fight with one second remaining in the second round, landing some sledgehammer right-hand punches.
"I'm still a novice in the fight game," Hopoate said.
"I'm still learning the craft."
AAP
