Justin Hodges has doubled down on options the famed chin of Paul Gallen is gone – revealing his punch which dropped the NSW Origin nice of their first encounter was “thrown with only 40 per cent of my power”.
Less than per week out from Gallen’s hyped Sydney boxing farewell, Hodges has promised to “crush” his outdated arch rival by sending him into retirement with a brutal KO loss.
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The daring declaration comes solely a day after Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech additionally tipped Hodges to knock Gallen chilly in his farewell struggle.
Fenech instructed that after 20 years in each the NRL and heavyweight boxing – coupled with numerous rounds of onerous sparring – Gallen was not the identical man who withstood the ability of UFC legend Mark Hunt and breakout Aussie star Justis Huni.
Initially taking first struggle in 2014, Gallen has loved an impressive crossover profession – and change into an simple Pay-Per-View star.
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Yet now aged 41, each Fenech and Hodges are satisfied one among Australia’s most famed chins has weakened.
In truth, whereas Hodges misplaced their preliminary September through a controversial stoppage, he nonetheless rocked and dropped the person who has famously by no means been kayoed within the second spherical.
And that second particularly is what now has the Brisbane premiership favorite satisfied he can change into the primary man to knock Gallen out chilly.
Asked this week about the fitting hand that dropped his Origin arch rival, Hodges instructed Fox Sports Australia: “Honestly, the punch wasn’t even that hard.
“It was just one I threw to turn and keep him off me.
“I was actually surprised he dropped so easily.”
So how onerous isn’t onerous?
“That punch was thrown at only 40 per cent,” Hodges insisted.
“A quick little right hand where I spun, didn’t even have my feet planted to get all my power.
“Looking back, I wish I’d hit him harder.
“I don’t think he would’ve got up.
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“But it was only 40 per cent, maybe 50 per cent of how hard I can hit.
“Which is why for this rematch I now have so much confidence. I know if I can land that one big shot, he won’t getting up.”
To make sure that occurs, Hodges has been working time beyond regulation this camp with each coach Adam Copland and former Australian heavyweight champ Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu on studying to land the blow that issues.
Like Fenech, Hodges insists Gallen not has the chin of a fighter boasting enormous upsets over each Hunt and Australia’s first heavyweight world champ, Lucas Browne.
“Gal is definitely a bit weathered in terms of copping big blows,” Hodges stated.
“The Justis Huni loss especially, that really took it out of him over those 10 rounds.
“Then you’ve got all his sparring on top of that.
“All the punches people don’t see.
“And when you think about the rounds Gal has done, and the quality of those sparring partners, he has definitely taken his hits for sure.
“So I’ll be looking for that one big shot — and believe I can get it.”
Pushed on his possibilities of changing into the primary man to knock Gallen chilly, Hodges continued: “I know it’s the only way I win.
“But I possess power. And in both hands.
“That’s why I think he’s going to fall.
“It’s something I’ve been visualising too, that big knock out – it’s what I’m chasing.”
And as for a way your outdated Origin rival would really feel leaving Australian sport through KO?
“Well, I know it isn’t the way he wants to go out,” Hodges laughed.
“It will crush him.
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“But all our rivalry and stuff aside, there’s no doubting Gal has been unbelievable for boxing.
“You only have to look at what he’s achieved himself, and the spotlight he has put on guys like Tim Tszyu.
“Tim goes from fighting on a Gallen undercard to now preparing for his own world title fight. And there’s so many fighters like that.
“So he’s been wonderful for boxing.
“It’s just unfortunate that he won’t be getting his fairytale farewell.”