Oh no you DIDN'T: Burglar breaks into home of boxing and rugby champ
Former Samoan international rugby and boxing star Lio Falaniko has shared his surprise encounter with a burglar - after the unidentified man attempted to break into his home.
Falaniko was sitting in his underwear at his Perth home on December 28 and deciding which movie to watch on Netflix when the bizarre event unfolded.
Speaking to Perth Now, the 51-year-old recalled how the burglar brazenly walked through his front door and headed towards the kitchen that afternoon - and what he did next.
“I’d just got home from the shops and the dude just walked straight into my house,” he recalled.
“There were so many things that went through my head … with my ability and skills as a former boxer, I could have punched him to the moon and back.”
Rugby and heavyweight boxing star Lio Falaniko had a shock encounter with a burglar who strolled into his home one afternoon. Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook)
After the burglar realised the huge mistake he had made, he attempted to double back and sprint out the door.
Unfortunately for him, Falaniko had already gotten to his feet, grabbing the robber by the neck and bringing him back into the house.
Though the former rugby star was ready to have a go at the man, he decided against it.
“But the guy was so small, I felt sorry for him and he’s lucky I was still in the Christmas spirit,” Falaniko said. “So I told him to f*** off before I called the ambulance for him and wished him a Happy New Year.
“He looked like he’d seen a ghost and ran.”
With both Falaniko and the burglar walking away unscathed, the sports star had an important lesson to share.
“You should be careful whose house you walk into,” he said.
Perth locals soon weighed in on the situation, with many praising Falaniko’s decision not to harm the burglar.
“What an absolute champion of a human being,” one person said.
“I would not have been as forgiving. However, well done to this fine example of a man,” another shared.
Others poked fun at the burglar, with one person saying: “He probably ran home to change his pants”.
Born in the Samoan capital of Apia, Falaniko went on to represent Samoa 21 times in international rugby between 1990 and 1999.
From 1996 until 1999, he also played Super Rugby for the Otago Highlanders and Wellington Hurricanes.
As for his boxing career, Falaniko fought in 10 professional heavyweight bouts between 2005 and 2011 in New Zealand and was undefeated.
He now works as a personal trainer in Perth.
Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook)