Origin Rumble Paul Gallen vs Ben Hannant and Justin Hodges Nissan Arena Brisbane
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Paul Gallen beats Ben Hannant before taking on Justin Hodges in footy fight night – but the tough ex-NRL Queensland star shocks pundits by going all the way and revealing why he shouldn’t have been in the ring AT ALL
- Paul Gallen unanimous point decision but was expected to KO Hannant
- Hannant made a great fist of the clash and even cut Gallen in the final round
- Cronulla Sharks legend has an hour break before fighting Justin Hodges
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Paul Gallen has beaten longtime Queensland football nemesis Ben Hannant in the first fight of his double header against another ex-NRL star in Justin Hodges – but he went the distance in a result that will surprise many fans and pundits.
The ex-Cronulla Shark was expected to knock out Hannant, who was only in his second professional fight when the pair clashed at the Nissan Arena in Brisbane on Thursday night.
But the ex-Queensland State of Origin star didn’t just go far, he caught Gallen with some decent shots and managed to open a cut on the final round that could spell trouble for the Cronulla Sharks legend when he fights Hodges .
Hannant (right) was meant to be cannon fodder for the much more experienced Gallen, but he shocked fight fans by going far – and dealing some damage
Gallen landed the heavier and sharper shots but couldn’t knock down the ex-Queensland star, let alone knock him out
The judges were unanimous: two gave Gallen each of the four two-minute rounds on their scorecards, and the third scored 40-37.
‘I said from day one that Ben Hannant is the tougher man’ [of him and Hodges]a former Australian front rower, I played with him at the highest level…he fought very well,” Gallen said immediately after the fight.
Asked about the cut on his cheek, which started to swell after the fight but didn’t seem deep, he replied, “I was fine, I didn’t get stung with anything.”
Hannant received a big round of applause for his tough and surprisingly effective performance.
He didn’t land the first hard blow of the fight long into the first round, catching Gallen with his jab and showing great durability as he was hit evenly with big right hands.
“I’m honored to be in the ring and have a crack for my kids, my family,” he said, before telling the crowd that he had suffered an injury while playing football a month before the fight and not at all. should have fought.
“I’m a front rower, we’re not smart,” he joked after labeling Gallen as “an absolutely great guy.”
“I’m not a fighter, everyone knows that… It’s a special moment for me, I’m still a winner.”
Gallen didn’t know which of the two Queenslanders he would fight until Hannant came out of the locker room and walked to the ring.
Hannant gave it his all and nearly looked to his feet on the fourth and final lap, but rallied to deny his coveted opponent a victory stop
Gallen left the ring with a cut under his left eye – and while it didn’t seem deep, it could be a problem if Hodges can land his right hand
Two of the three judges let Gallen win every round, while the other scored it 40-37 for him in a unanimous points decision
Under the one night rules, he must have a break of at least an hour before fighting Hodges, who will be fresh and eager to go.
The ex-NSW Origin captain said the break was his main concern in the double header.
“A man who is a bit like me in age, I am concerned about the interruption,” he said.
“After a fight, you don’t understand the euphoria and the relief that it’s all over. I was worried about getting up again.’
Like the fight against Hannant, his clash with Hodges is scheduled for four two-minute rounds.
He and Gallen physically clashed at the weigh-in on Wednesday, when Hodges grabbed his opponent by the throat.
When Gallen told him to kiss his kids goodnight in case he never sees them again during Tuesday’s press conference, Hodges stormed off the stage and left.