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Paul Gallen and Justin Hodges have lit the fuse for an explosive rematch as an ugly war of words erupted at a wild press conference to announce this month’s fight.
Gallen will step into the boxing ring for the final time when he faces fellow Origin great Hodges in Sydney on November 23.
The pair came face-to-face for the first time since their September Origin Rumble battle, controversially won by Gallen, that was much closer than many anticipated.
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2 knockouts in 1 night? Zerafa GOES OFF | 02:31
Hodges launched legal action over the result in Brisbane, claiming Gallen committed clear fouls and illegal blows in the victory — taking issue with one ‘Ivan Drago’ punch in particular while pushed out over the ropes.
Hodges backed up his stance at Wednesday’s press conference saying that the referee “didn’t do his job” and Gallen exploded in response — claiming Hodges himself was guilty of dirty tactics.
“Everything he says is laughable,” Gallen said, arguing he followed all the referee’s instructions given pre-fight.
“… Shut up flog … when the referee did call a break, a clear break between us, I did step back, looked at him and you hit me with the best right hand of the fight. Five seconds later you hit me on the back of the head and dropped me — did I bitch and whinge or moan about that?”
Gallen also issued a fierce demand that the rematch be hold over six, three-minute rounds. The pair’s first fight was held over four, two-minute rounds and it was Gallen’s second fight of the night as he earlier beat Ben Hannant and in historic double header.
“We’re doing it properly or we’re not doing it at all. I want it approved now, if it’s not three-minute rounds, we’re not doing it,” Gallen said.
The pair then got into another heated verbal scrap as Hodges called Gallen a “big pussy” and the NSW Origin star clapped back claiming his rival got everything his way in the first fight in Queensland.
“Was it all your way up in Brisbane?” Gallen said.
“… You only want to go two rounds now? You f***ing cat.”
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‘ABSURD’ – Hodges rocked by late punches | 00:44
In a significant development, the card for the rematch is also set to feature the return of Michael Zerafa as the co-main event.
Zerafa will face undefeated Italian Danelo ‘Dash’ Creati in what he says will be preparation for an agreed fight with superstar Gennady Golovkin.
It will be Zerafa’s first Main Event card since he infamously withdrew from his headliner fight with Tim Tszyu in Newcastle last year, with No Limit’s George Rose confirming the parties had smoothed things over.
“18 months is a very long time. We’ve moved on he’s moved on,” Rose said.
“He is the No.1 middleweight contender in the world, the best middleweight that we have and he’s here to have a massive fight. It’s very exciting.”
Things got a little tense when presenter Ben Damon asked Zerafa: “are you going to turn up?” this time.
“That’s a low blow that one,” Zerafa laughed.
“I’ll definitely be turning up and once I knock out Creati I might have to come knock you (Damon) out.”
Zerafa says he regrets the infamous backflip — claiming he was “lied to” by his management team at the time — but still wants to fight Tszyu in an all-Aussie blockbuster.
Creati mocked Zerafa’s plans to fight Golovkin, who last month lost his trilogy fight against fellow megastar Canelo Alvarez, saying the Australian was “booking himself to go into intensive care.”
Zerafa was fierce in his reply.
“He’s (Creati) talking a big game. Many talk, many fall. We’ll see,” Zerafa said.
“Just put the sponsors at the bottom of your shoes because you’ll be looking at the ceiling
“… I’ve never heard of him. I’ve never seen him fight — but god bless him and his family and it’s going to be war November 23. I’m back where I belong and now it’s showtime.”
The card will also feature rising Australian star Paulo Aokuso taking on tough Peruvian veteran David Zegarra, while Ty Telford will take on Joel Taylor.
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