On Tuesday, Ben Hannant declared Paul Gallen “realistically should kill me” in the boxing ring, after Gallen himself claimed: “You think you’re gonna walk in and even compete? I could seriously kill you on Thursday night.”
After all, Hannant had fought just once before – a defeat to Justin Hodges – while Gallen had far more experience and ability in the ring. And, it was revealed after their fight, Hannant had even suffered two broken ribs a month before the bout.
But when the two former NRL stars met on Thursday night’s bout, the Queensland Origin hardman proved all the doubters wrong with an unbelievable display of grit and fortitude, lasting the full four rounds against Gallen – and showing off a remarkable improvement in his ringcraft.
Hannant gave Gallen plenty of trouble, with his power-punching and fearless approach in the ring. And while Gallen’s superior fitness and technical ability began to tell, even a wearying Hannant was able to survive a ferocious assault in the latter rounds to reach the final bell.
And he certainly lost no fans with his gracious and humble interview after the unanimous decision defeat.
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Hannant said: “I’m not a fighter and everyone knows that but I went out swinging. I don’t know what to do – so when I got in close he kept uppercutting and jabbing me. It was good, it was a good wake-up call. The best way to learn is to get hit. I don’t pretend to be a fighter.
“He’s an absolute great bloke and an even greater fighter and football player. I don’t think I deserved to be in the ring with him but they needed someone to go in before Hodgo. I wanted to go in the ring and have a crack and have my kids here and family.
“It’s a special moment from me. I’m still a winner.”
Asked if he’ll fight again, he replied: “I don’t know. I had a little injury four weeks ago playing park footy. I probably shouldn’t have been in here but we made it work … I’m a front rower. We’re not smart. Wayne Bennett used to say to us front rowers: ‘If you thought, you’d be dangerous.’”
“Tonight I had a big lesson in the right direction. It’s an honour to hopefully entertain youse and I hope you’re as happy as me after this performance.”
Paul Gallen was equally kind in his praise for his beaten opponent, saying: “I said from day one, Ben Hannant’s the tougher guy … he’s tough as nails. I pretty much expected that.”
“He fought really well,” he added.
