Footy bad boy Dane Swan opens up about Las Vegas party that was so wild he lost 5kg – and reveals why he’s having a million beers on Wednesday night
EXCLUSIVE
AFL legend Dane Swan has revealed he almost completely derailed his boxing training during his 40th birthday celebrations in the US and Mexico last month.
The Collingwood great swaps his football boots for boxing gloves as he steps into the ring against ex-AFL star Dale Thomas at The Gathering Fight Night in Adelaide on Wednesday evening.
Swan is in great shape for the fight, but says his recent birthday party almost sent things sideways.
“My 40th birthday really interrupted the training when I went away for a month,” Swan told Ny Breaking Australia.
The Gathering is a live and exclusive Pay-Per-View, only on Stan. Go to www.stan.com.au/ppv For more information.
Dane Swan (left) prepares for his debut boxing fight with former AFL star Dale Thomas (right; former Aussie world champion Danny Green, center)
Swan says his recent 40th birthday party in Las Vegas (pictured) was so long and intense that it almost derailed his training for his ring debut
‘But I’ve done enough (training) work in my life. I’m not a full-time boxer, I’ve had to juggle it with my lifestyle and three young children, but I’ve done the work.
“I can comfortably do four rounds, it just depends on how many times I get hit. But I’m ready to go.’
The Brownlow Medal winner invited a group of friends to Las Vegas and then a few more joined to continue the festivities in Cabo, Mexico.
Swan said the partying almost “killed” him, but he has been training hard since he got back and hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol.
“I lost five pounds in Vegas… I played at 95, I’m now at 88-89. I’m as slim as I’ve been since I came out of the jungle (after starring in ‘I’m A Celebrity…’).
“I’m ready to go.”
One thing Swan will have in his favor when he steps through the ropes is that he is no stranger to boxing training.
“I’ve always boxed,” he explained.
‘It is a discipline that I have always enjoyed. I hate running, I haven’t lifted weights since I was forced to do so while playing AFL, and swimming bores me.
Swan says he lost 10 pounds last month while partying hard at his wild 40th birthday party in Las Vegas (pictured)
Swan says he is as lean and fit as he has been in years and is looking forward to continuing with fellow footballer Dale Thomas (pictured with Danny Green)
Boxers and AFL stars will throw punches on The Gathering Fight Night card in Adelaide this Wednesday night (pictured, fighters at a Gathering press conference on Monday)
‘Boxing is the only sport I really like. It is fast and with high intensity. I like it.
“I was supposed to fight a few years ago, but that didn’t happen. I was asked to do this, so it’s time to put your money where your mouth is.”
Swan says his plan is to put his full knowledge of ‘the sweet science’ to the test against Thomas this week, rather than throwing haymakers.
‘I don’t want to go in there angry. “I played footy and I enjoyed it, played with a smile on my face,” Swan said.
‘Of course it’s another thing to get a punch in the face, but I want to enjoy it and show my coaches that I listened – and that I know half of what I’m doing.’
And how does he plan to celebrate when it’s all over?
‘A million beers. I can not wait. I’m hanging,” Swan laughed.
Full card for the Gathering Fight Night
Main Event – Jamal Herring (24-4-0) vs. Jackson England (15-3-0) (Super Featherweight) (WBO Global Super Featherweight Title)
Mitch Robinson (Debut) vs. Kayne Pettifer (Debut) (Cruiserweight)
Jack Brubaker (17-5-2) vs. In Duck Seo (15-3-2) (Super Welterweight)
Kane Cornes (Debut) vs. Nathan Brown (Debut) (Cruiserweight)
Joel Camilleri (27-8-1) vs. Joel Pavlides (5-2-1) (Middleweight)
Dane Swan (debut) vs. Dale Thomas (debut) (heavyweight)
Alex Leapal Jnr (debut) vs Joe Ageli (2-1-0) (heavyweight)
Anthony Rocca (debut) vs. Corey McKernan (debut) (heavyweight)
Sergei Vorobev (20-2-0) vs. Wes Capper (22-5-1) (heavyweight)