Rugby league legend Justin Hodges has launched a scathing tirade on Roosters enforcer Matt Lodge — establishing a blockbuster bout after Paul Gallen’s farewell battle.
Hodges will face Gallen on Wednesday night time and the NSW and Cronulla icon will grasp up the gloves, determined to finish his boxing profession on a excessive.
However, Hodges can be no pushover for the lock-turned-boxer (14-2-1, 8KO) after the Broncos and Queensland gun put him on the canvas of their final encounter.
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Lodge beforehand mentioned his administration group had approached Gallen to schedule a battle, explaining he wasn’t in it for the cash.
“I’ve been asked to fight, multiple times. I’m sure everyone would love to see nothing more than me get in the ring,” Lodge wrote in a press release on Instagram.
“I’m willing to give 99 per cent of the people what they want. I’ll jump in the ring with the best boxer rugby league has and give him his grand finale.
“I don’t want a single dollar for it.
“Instead I want everyone to throw in what they can afford, get the popcorn out, sit on the lounge and enjoy, I want to donate it all to a good cause.”
Hodges slammed the 27-year-old Roosters prop on the time saying he hasn’t “earned the right” to step within the ring with Gallen — and now he has as soon as once more shared his frustrations.
“When I read Lodge wanted to fight Gallen, I was filthy,” Hodges instructed The Courier Mail.
“Gal and I had made a deal to rematch… then I read Lodge was sniffing around and trying to weasel his way into getting this fight. I was pissed off.
“I’ve had to do it the hard way. Nothing was ever given to me, I’ve worked and fought my butt off to be in this position.
Gal & Hodges CLASH over round lengths | 01:07
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“Lodge has done nothing to deserve a shot like this, let alone the payday.”
After Lodge’s preliminary call-out, Gallen additionally responded: “If he really wants to donate money and cares for these people, donate the money he’s not working hard to earn, he’s getting $700,000 off the Warriors, donate that to a good cause.”
“Prove how much you want to help people. Don’t use other people’s hard-earned money, don’t use my profile.”
Hodges took one other swipe, referencing Lodge’s payouts at each the Broncos and Warriors after the 40-year-old performed 195 video games on the Red Hill membership.
“We all know why Kevvie flicked him from the Broncos,” Hodges mentioned.
“Plenty of people would love to smack some sense into him, but I’m in a position where I can get paid to do it.
“I’ve told (promoters) ‘No Limit’ to line it up after I knock Gal out on Wednesday.”
While Hodges revered what Gallen has been capable of do for the game of boxing, he’s backing himself to down this opponent earlier than the battle’s finish.
Tszyu calls Gal & TRASHES Zerafa | 01:06
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“I am just trying to stop him, six rounds haven’t gone that deep ever so I need to put him away, and that’s what I am trying to do,” Hodges mentioned on the weigh-in.
Meanwhile, Gallen delivered an enormous sledge and mentioned he was “no chance” of shedding in his final ever skilled battle.
“I know if I do what I do and fight my fight he is no chance tomorrow night,” Gallen mentioned.
“We can expect a different Paul Gallen, we can expect someone that hasn’t already fought, he’s always used to be the third man in, the next man in after someone has already done the damage.
“His big front rower doing that in Queensland, he won’t be doing that tomorrow night, he only has me to contend with.
“I know if I do what I do he’s no chance of getting me, he’s going to look for a knockout early, that’s all he has got, he isn’t going to get through six rounds.”