Training for boxing debut has Wallace primed for 2020 campaign

Titans prop Jarrod Wallace has taken his body "where I'd never been before" in preparation for his boxing debut and the gruelling program has him way ahead in his readiness for next season.

Wallace will take on Nick Timm at Cbus Super Stadium next Saturday on the undercard to the "Worlds Collide" main event between Anthony Mundine and John Wayne Parr.

The funds raised from Wallace's bout will go to the Titans Community Foundation and Titans Physical Disabilities rugby league team which is coach by Wallace's father Craig.

Wallace hasn't missed any Titans training sessions while preparing for his fight but due to his advanced fitness the club will allow him to do so next week before the bout. 

"I wasn't expecting to get as fit as I have from just boxing. It is a brutal sport but I wanted to take myself and my body where I'd never been before,” Wallace told NRL.com.

"I am way ahead with my fitness for this time of year compared to where I usually would be.

"My weight is 107 kilos which is below where it usually is at this time of year. My skin folds when I left the club at the end of the season was 68 and I went back at 70. Usually I blow out but I didn't this year. It was the best condition I've ever gone back to training. I did about five weeks in the boxing gym, three days a week, and I am fighting fit."

The Titans, last season's wooden spooners, play top-eight teams in the opening six rounds in 2020 with away trips to the Raiders, Roosters, Storm and Sea Eagles on their schedule.

Instead of looking at it as a problem, Wallace said the Titans would embrace their draw as a challenge.

"Round one everyone is on the same playing field whether that be the Roosters, Raiders or Melbourne. It is a great challenge for us as a club," he said.

"It will show us how much things have changed here, and going into that middle part of the year we will know exactly where we are at.

"We don't want be going backwards or thinking just because we came last that we deserve an easy draw. This is the NRL and there is no easy game."

Wallace said the mood at the club had already changed for the better under new coach Justin Holbrook.

"It is only early days, and the pre-season is never a fun time of the year, but the biggest thing at the moment is that Justin is making it fun," Wallace said.

"We are working hard and doing the training we need to, but at the same time we are enjoying it and wanting to go to training.

"One of Justin's biggest things is that he wants us to love to go to football. We are building a culture and I think it has started already."

Wallace said he received a real boost to be able to announce his charity partner for his upcoming fight alongside Titans Physical Disabilities rugby league player Noah Robinson on Thursday.

Wallace, who played rugby league alongside his father Craig, said it was a joy to be able to raise funds for a cause so dear to his dad's heart.

"Dad coached them for the four games last season and he is loving it. He has got the sponsors coming on board and he's telling me there are games in Melbourne next year and they are looking to play other disability sides in New Zealand," Wallace said.

"The kids love it and they love him. To see the smile on his face is priceless."