Justin Hodges has doubled down on suggestions the famed chin of Paul Gallen is gone – revealing his punch which dropped the NSW Origin great in their first encounter was “thrown with only 40 per cent of my power”.
Less than a week out from Gallen’s hyped Sydney boxing farewell, Hodges has promised to “crush” his old arch rival by sending him into retirement with a brutal KO loss.
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The bold declaration comes only a day after Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech also tipped Hodges to knock Gallen cold in his farewell fight.
Fenech suggested that after 20 years in both the NRL and heavyweight boxing – coupled with countless rounds of hard sparring – Gallen was no longer the same man who withstood the power of UFC legend Mark Hunt and breakout Aussie star Justis Huni.
Initially taking first fight in 2014, Gallen has enjoyed an outstanding crossover career – and become an undeniable Pay-Per-View star.
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Yet now aged 41, both Fenech and Hodges are convinced one of Australia’s most famed chins has weakened.
In fact, while Hodges lost their initial September via a controversial stoppage, he still rocked and dropped the man who has famously never been kayoed in the second round.
And that moment specifically is what now has the Brisbane premiership favourite convinced he can become the first man to knock Gallen out cold.
Asked this week about the right hand that dropped his Origin arch rival, Hodges told 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 hard is not hard?
“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 ensure that happens, Hodges has been working overtime this camp with both trainer Adam Copland and former Australian heavyweight champ Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu on learning to land the blow that matters.
Like Fenech, Hodges insists Gallen no longer has the chin of a fighter boasting huge upsets over both Hunt and Australia’s first heavyweight world champ, Lucas Browne.
“Gal is definitely a bit weathered in terms of copping big blows,” Hodges said.
“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 chances of becoming the first man to knock Gallen cold, 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 how your old Origin rival would feel leaving Australian sport via 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.”
