HODGES THE BIG HIT
PAUL Gallen has been warned Justin Hodges hits harder than heavyweight sensation Justis Huni as the Broncos legend vowed to put his NSW Origin rival to “sleep” for all Queenslanders.
Hodges and Ben Hannant will try to pull off a boilover when the former Queensland Origin duo go toe-to-toe with Gallen in a double-header on Thursday night at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.
Hannant is tipped to go in first, before Hodges goes to war with Gallen after a onehour break.
At Wednesday’s weigh-in, Hodges could not resist a verbal uppercut, whispering: “I hope you feel tired ... because I’m going to put you to sleep.”
Gallen is red-hot favourite to bash both men over four, two-minute rounds, but Hodges has been emboldened by a build-up that has included 20 rounds of sparring with former Australian heavyweight champion Faiga “Django” Opelu.
Opelu (14-3-1, 10KO) lost his Australian title in October 2020 to rising golden boy Huni, who then pulverised Gallen (12-2-1, 7KO) last year in a 10-round belting that took away part of the NRL legend’s boxing soul.
But Django walked away from sparring sessions convinced Hodges has more punching power than Huni.
“It’s nice to hear Django say that about me,” Hodges said. “Look, I believe I can beat Gallen with power. That’s my weapon.
“I’ve taken this seriously and I’m going in there to give Gallen hell.
“Django gave me a few pointers and he has given me the confidence to really let go with my right hand.”
Gallen whipped up the pre-fight melodrama by vowing to “kill” Hannant and telling Hodges “to kiss his kids goodnight” as he pointed to an ambulance.
But for all the trash talk, Gallen, just turned 41, admits he has almost had enough of the fight game.
Promoter No Limit is offering Hodges and Hannant a $1m rematch payment if they win, was further motivating Gallen to hammer both ahead of his proposed retirement in December.
“I am filthy on the whole situation,” Gallen said.
“No Limit have done everything they can for these blokes, now they are giving them a $1m reward if they can beat me and who is it up to to save them getting $1m? Me.
“I don’t enjoy the hype or the build-up any more. I am over being the villain.
“(But) don’t mistake that for weakness. I’m prepared to go out and hurt these guys. I’m 10 times fitter than both.”