‘Showboating’ comes back to haunt Hunt
He should’ve jumped all over me, that was his opportunity and you miss all the opportunities you
don’t take. Thankfully he didn’t come for me and I came good. Paul Gallen
Mark Huntmadeahabit of delivering walk-off Kosduring hisufc career but the Super Samoan’s arrogance is what cost himvictory over Paul Gallen on Wednesdaynight.
The rugby league legendwon aunanimous points decision over Hunt as the two slugged out a sixround war that left the boxing world inaweof Gallen, whowas somehowable to keep fighting after eating multiple blows from the 46-year-old heavyweight.
Gallen miraculously stayed on his feet and had enough petrol in the tank to dosomedamage of his ownas the judges rewarded him for aheroic display thatnowtakes his unbeaten streak in the ring to
11.
But Hunt could have stopped it all in the second roundwhenhe rocked Gallen with a thunderous right hand that lefthimvulnerable to a follow-up. Instead, Hunt turned to his corner and spread his arms out as if to suggest he had the fightsown up, only to realise his opponent wasn’t going to crumble as meekly as he thought.
Gallen fought back to see out the round, then showedthatsame courage tomakeit all theway through six rounds.
The ex-sharks andnsworigin captain admitted he wasrattled in the second round and couldn’t believe his luckwhenhunt played upto the crowd.
“He hitmewith something in the second round and Idon’t even knowwhat it was. Ididn’t even knowif Ihit the deck or not, but it gotmereal good,” Gallen told Sporting News.
“Thankfully I sucked it in.
“Isaw that (Hunt showing off) — thatwaswheni cameto.
“He should’ve jumped all over me, thatwas his opportunity and you miss all the opportunities you don’t take.
“Thankfully he didn’tcomefor meand I camegood.”
Main Event commentator Ben Damonand Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech noticed Hunt’s blue immediately during the call and questioned whether it would comeback to haunt him.
“Could Mark Hunt not have gone for that knockout? Could it comeagainsthim later on? Can Gallencomeback?” Fenech said.
“Can you believe that? Hehad an opportunity to jump onhimbut he turned around, looked at the corner and said, ‘I’m going to get him’.
“It gave Gallen time to breathe and time to recover.”
Damonsaid Hunt was “showboating for the crowd”.
“Hunt looked to have himgone but he just waited on it,” he added.
“Hunt seemed to have himgone but he took his foot off.”
■ In the main bout, Timtszyu dismantled Kiwibowynmorgan in a two-minute masterclass that’s stunned the boxing world.
The 26-year-old Australian is just one fight awayfrom his first championship belt after he sent his opponent crashing through the ropes with a thundering knockout victory thatsaw Morgan wiped off his feet twice in 30 seconds.
Itwas the quickest finish in Tszyu’s career as heshowed monstrous power the world had never seen before to stop Morgan with aminute left in the first round.
“Iwas just getting started,” Tszyu said.
“Bowyn Morgan is a tough competitor, I just didn’t givehim the opportunity.”