Boxing News: Paul Gallen v Justin Hodges fight looms after Nikita Tszyu-Ben Horn undercard news

Justin Hodges is closing in on an NRL mega fight with Paul Gallen. The final hurdle is a social-media influencer who is being hailed as Australia’s anwer to American sensation Jake Paul.

Former Queensland star Justin Hodges is on the verge of securing an NRL super fight with Paul Gallen as his bitter NSW Origin rival revealed he is shelving retirement plans and will continue his boxing career.
News Corp can reveal Hodges has been added to the undercard of the Nikita Tszyu-Ben Horn main event on Wednesday week following his defeat of ex-Broncos teammate Ben Hannant in Brisbane a fortnight ago.
Promoters No Limit will announce on Tuesday that Hodges (4-1, 2KO) will return to the ring against debutant Jordan Simi in a four-round heavyweight showdown at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on July 20.
A former lower-grade footballer, the 28-year-old Simi is a podcaster and wannabe influencer who aspires to be Australia’s version of American social-media giant Jake Paul.

Justin Hodges will fight Australia’s social-media influencer Jordan Simi (left) on July 20 and will fight Paul Gallen if he wins.

Judging by his 29,000 followers, the well-built Simi has a long way to go to match 20 million man Paul.

But for Hodges, the Simi showdown is a calculated stepping stone to the bout he really wants — a potential $100,000 pay day later this year against NRL legend-cum-prize fighter Gallen.
It is understood Hodges will seal a big-money shot at Gallen if he beats Simi, who is dating Australian model Sammy Robinson, and the Broncos legend vowed to dish out some knockout footage for the Sydney-based Youtuber.
“I didn’t think my next fight would be this quick but if a knockout of this Youtuber (Simi) secures me a payday with ‘Gal’ later this year, then bring it on,” the 40-year-old Hodges said.
“I got the win against Ben (Hannant) but if I‘m honest, I was as disappointed as everyone else that he was still standing at the end ... Jordan Simi won’t be as lucky.

Justin Hodges got the win against former Origin teammate Ben Hannant last month. Picture: Getty

“This is a serious fight and I plan on doing serious damage to him. I hope he’s taking it seriously and not trying to pretend to be some Jake Paul wannabe chasing followers on his Youtube channel.

“This isn’t social media, this is the fight game and he is going to get hurt.”

Gallen spoke about the possibility of retiring after his loss to Kris Terzievski for the Australian title in May, which came almost a year after his gutsy defeat against heavyweight golden boy Justis Huni.Two torrid fights had seemingly signalled the end for Gallen (12-2-1, 7KO), who turns 41 next month.

But on the eve of Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, the former NSW skipper says he has plans for two more lower-level fights - and he welcomed the prospect of rekindling his Maroons feud with Hodges.

Paul Gallen plans to have two more fights before he retires and wants a piece of Hodges.

“He is the one calling me out, so I say to ‘Hodgo’ ... ’Be careful what you wish for’,” Gallen said.
“Hodgo is a big boy but I have never said ‘No’ to any fight.
“I took the Huni fight and I would take this one.
“I am not retiring yet, I will have one or two more fights, maybe a footy player at the end of the year.
“I am done with fighting professionals like Justis Huni or Terzievski, I am in a good place in life, I have my kids and I want to start looking after myself.
“I will fight against footy players.
“I have nothing to prove to myself or anyone else any more. I might have some entertainment-style fights against Hodgo or Junior Paulo (Eels and NSW Origin prop) and that will be it.
“If this fight against Hodgo was to happen, I have no doubt I will win.”

TSZYU v HORN 2.0
Main Broadcast Card (From 7pm AEST on Fox Sports and Kayo)
Hordern Pavilion, Wednesday, July 20

Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Horn, 6 rounds at super welterweight
Sam Goodman vs Juan Elorde, 10 rounds for WBO Oriental and IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight titles
Ty Telford vs Ricky Colosimo 8 rounds for ANBF Australasian welterweight title
Justin Hodges vs Jordan Simi 4 rounds at heavyweight
Shanell Dargan vs Jaala Tomat 4 rounds at super featherweight
Darragh Foley vs Hunter Ioane 6 rounds at welterweight
Ashleigh Sims vs Jessica Adams 5 rounds at super featherweight

Originally published as Boxing News: Paul Gallen v Justin Hodges fight looms after Nikita Tszyu-Ben Horn undercard news