Gal: I’ll fight Hodges and Hannant

FORMER Blues skipper Paul Gallen has laid down the challenge to Queenslander Justin Hodges, vowing to smash him and Ben Hannant on the same night.

Gallen (pictured, left) has issued an Origin challenge to Hodges after the fiery Maroons legend called out Gallen following his defeat of Hannant in a unanimous decision on Wednesday night.

The pair could now square off before the end of the year in a bout that would renew interstate hostilities.

Gallen said he would be open to the bout.

“I’ll fight him any day of the week,” k ” Gallen G ll said.

“He brought Origin into it now so let’s have a bet.

“If NSW win the series then we fight in NSW but if Queensland win I’ll go up to two-head town and bash him up there.” th ” Hodges H d baited GalGal len in the ring on Wednesday when he said: “Queenslanders want me to knock out the dirty Cockroach.”

Hodges (pictured, right) added that he would “jump in and have a go” but conceded “I don’t know how long I’ll last”.

The ex-broncos skipper has long craved a fight with either Gallen or Barry Hall.

His victory against former Broncos teammate Hannant was less than convincing but it took the 40-year-old’s record to four wins and one loss. His only defeat came at the hands of Darcy Lussick in 2019 – who Gallen beat last December.

As for Hannant? Gallen said: “If they want to throw me some extra coin I’ll fight Hannant on the same night.”

Gallen is yet to announce who he will fight next after losing an Australian heavyweight title bout to Kris Terzievski last month.