Nathan Ross in boxing ring Saturday night 

The Kurri Kurri fullback will fight rookie boxer Dylan Vadjanal tonight as part of a 12-bout Newcastle Rugby League fight night at its National Park Street headquarters.

Ross is better known for his speed and skill on the footy field rather than his punching power.

Most of the bouts tonight will pit footballers against other footballers, but as there was no one available in Ross's 86-kilogram weight division, the 90kg Vadjanal stepped in to make his boxing debut.

"When [boxing trainer] Peter [Hallett] rang me and said they couldn't find much interest from anyone in the local league, he asked if I minded fighting a boxer," Ross said. "If I'm going to fight on the night, I'm going to fight on the night, so it doesn't matter who it was against."

Over the past fortnight he has trained every day at the Broadmeadow PCYC and the Fitness Shed to sharpen his skills for his maiden bout.

"I've done no boxing training in the past and I'm not sure if I throw them all right. I guess I'll find out on the night," he said. "I just thought it would be a good test.

"I'm always into trying different sports, and hopefully the hands can move as fast as the feet.

"I'll be looking to not get hit, that's for sure."

Other first-graders on the card include Macquarie second-rower Trent Hawes against Kotara's 37-year-old veteran Paul Mascord, and Maitland forward Brenton Horwood will don the gloves against against Kurri Kurri 18-year-old Michael Davies.

Newcastle's Jake Snowden was set to fight Josh Hamilton from Wyong for the Northern NSW super-heavyweight title over four rounds.

But due to injury Hamilton has withdrawn and Snowden will have an exhibition bout against Port Stephens Sharks veteran Matt Eather.

The main event will be the NSW light-middleweight title bout between Newcastle's Tyrese Diana and Wyong's Dylan Bagero.

Tickets to the fight night are $35 and can be bought at Newcastle Leagues Club.