The Bulldogs are set to back in their boy the ‘Hype Beast’ on Wednesday night

A host of NRL players and potentially Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo are set to walk out with Benjamin ‘Hype Beast’ Hussain on Wednesday for his fight against Mason Smith.

Benjamin Hussain will be walked to the ring by Bulldogs players on Wednesday night. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Queensland excitement machine Benjamin ‘Hype Beast’ Hussain will be walked to the ring on Wednesday night by a crew of Bulldogs players as he looks to knock out Mason Smith and cash a $20,000 bonus check.

Hussain, who grew up in Mount Druitt before moving north, is a Doggies diehard, and says even coach Cameron Ciraldo could make a shock appearance at the card headlined by Nikita Tszyu and Danilo Creati.

Jacob Kiraz and Matt Burton are also rumoured to be considering making an appearance.

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“A few of the Dogs players get behind me and support me, and that means a lot,” Hussain told this masthead. “I’m not one of those people that gets starstruck, but I watch these guys play every weekend and I’m excited to see them.

“I heard that six or seven players are coming out, but that was last Friday. We won on the weekend, so there could be more now.

“Josh Curran said he was even gonna ask if Ciraldo would come.

“The more players and the more big names that come, it brings an aura to the night.”

Hussain says Josh Curran will ask Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo to be there. Picture: Getty Images

Most of Hussain’s childhood friends in Western Sydney were Panthers or Tigers fans, but he remembers the very first Dogs game he went to.

“It was Bulldogs versus Tigers and we won by a field goal,” he said. “Ever since then, I’ve been a big Doggies supporter.

“One of the best years of my life was when we made the finals and Benny Barba was carving up and we had the Morris brothers, and Mick Ennis. A lot of good players. That was a good time.

“We won last night and over the past two weeks, we’ve found some good form.”

Hussain fights Mason Smith. Picture: Getty Images

Sunday’s 36-12 win over Newcastle was punctuated by a fiery altercation in the tunnel between Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney and Knights firebrand Jack Hetherington.

Hetherington squared up to Mahoney in a fighting pose, before appearing to shove the hooker in the chest.

The Knights forward has copped a one-week ban for the incident, while Mahoney was hit with a contrary conduct charge.

“I don’t wanna talk bad about my team, but I think he (Mahoney) was scared,” Hussain joked. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t be though.

“I think he was making out is was tongue in cheek, but there was definitely a bit of malice in it.

“I’m curious to see what happens, I hope he doesn’t get suspended. We’ve had some suspensions and fines, so hopefully it’s not too bad.”

Reed Mahoney was charged for his role in a skirmish with Jack Hetherington on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

The always entertaining Hussain first came to prominence when he attempted to fight through a badly broken jaw against Ben Mahoney in 2020.

With No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose offering a $20,000 bonus for knockout of the night on Wednesday, the bad blood between Hussain and Smith went into overdrive on Monday.

“For someone with a broken jaw, you talk too much,” Smith quipped. “Way too much.”

Hussain hit back: “Because I’ve got that dawg in me. I never quit. Believe that.

“You’ve talked yourself into a beating.”

Hussain fights through a broken jaw against Ben Mahoney in 2020. Picture: Getty Images

If he makes good on his plans to knock out Smith and cash the $20,000 bonus, Hussain has two names he wants to take on next, before considering a switch back to footy.

“I really want to fight Wade Ryan,” he said. “I was calling for that fight last year.

“Michael Zerafa too. I’d love to fight Zerafa and Wade Ryan.

“When I get done boxing, I’m definitely going to have a run again. I’m gonna put on some weight, get in the second row and tackle my heart out.

“I just need to put on some weight, get fit and have a run.”

Originally published as The Bulldogs are set to back in their boy the ‘Hype Beast’ on Wednesday night