Andrew Fifita wants to take on Justin Hodges in post-season bout
Cronulla Sharks star Andrew Fifita has thrown down the challenge to Justin Hodges after the Queenslander recorded a forgettable 23-second victory in his second professional bout.
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Cronulla Sharks star Andrew Fifita has thrown down the challenge to Justin Hodges after the Queenslander recorded a forgettable 23-second victory in his second professional bout.
NSW hardman Fifita says he is willing to jump in the ring against Hodges in November.
“If Cronulla gives me the clearance, I will fight him,” Fifita told The Daily Telegraph.
And Fifita already has a secret weapon in his corner, UFC fighter Tyson Pedro.
“I will be training Andrew if he fights Hodges, he can beat him, he’s got heavy hands and he is tough.”
Fifita potentially stands in the way between Hodges and Cronulla teammate Paul Gallen, who has expressed interest in taking on Hodges next year.
Hodges landed four punches to annihilate outmatched Kiwi Troy McMahon, resulting in jeering from the crowd at The Star Casino.
“It’s an empty feeling in your gut, you train hard and you want to have a good fight,” Hodges said afterward.
“But no disrespect towards him, he took the fight on late notice after a few guys pulled out – he could have been like everybody else and not accepted.
“I tried to do the right thing by him too by not hurting him. But it is gut-wrenching.”
Hodges will now join Queensland’s State of Origin campaign as assistant coach, where he could well be plotting against Fifita, and wants to return to the ring in November.
“Obviously you want to fight better fighters, but at the same time I’ve only had two fights.
“I’ve come from rugby league, I could still play the game now if I wanted to, that’s how I confident I am. This is something out of my comfort zone.
“You don’t fight champions in your first couple of fights, you’ve got to ease your way into it and get confidence.
“I don’t care about the crowd, that doesn’t bother me, I’ve spent 18 years playing the game of rugby league and at the end of the day, they’re the ones booing, they should get in the ring themselves.
“It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and boo people.
“I did what I had to do, but I’m still learning the game.
“Gal’s had 10 fights, he’s experienced, he started off fighting guys too, everyone that’s had fights around the world, fights give you confidence.
“Gal’s probably further down the track than I am, he’s had 10 fights, 10 wins, and I’ve had two, he’s got a lot more ring experience, so I just look forward to the next one.”