Mark Hunt v Paul Gallen: Furious league great says there is no place for ‘death’ fight talk in boxing

Paul Gallen hasn’t wasted time condemning comments by Mark Hunt that he was prepared to die in the ring during their boxing clash, explaining why they are disrespectful.

Paul Gallen says he’s heard rivals talking tough throughout his rugby league and boxing career, and Mark Hunt’s drastic stance does not scare him.

Paul Gallen has slammed Mark Hunt as “stupid” and “disrespectful” for declaring he is willing to die in the ring during their heavyweight boxing clash next month.

Hunt made the staggering admission to The Daily Telegraph on Monday, and Gallen has responded saying it is offensive to the families of fighters who have lost their lives in sporting combat.

“I’ve seen some ridiculous comments he’s made in the paper that he’s willing to die for this, that’s just stupid talk,” Gallen said.

“This is a sport, I’ve got way better things in life to do after this fight.

“I box because I love the sport, I love competing, and I want to provide for my family. I’m not willing to go in there and lose or risk my life.

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Gallen says Hunt’s comments offensive to the families of fighters who have lost their lives.

“I think it’s a stupid thing to say, we should be promoting the sport, it’s not degrading but I just think it’s a dumb thing to say.

“It’s not nice, it’s disrespectful to people it’s happened to.

“We’re here to promote the sport, this is the biggest event in Sydney in over 10 years.

“I’ve said all along, my position with Tim Tszyu, the way I’ve helped him get to where he’s going, and hopefully he keeps going. I haven’t helped him as far as his training goes, but that initial promotion (headlining Tszyu’s first Main Event fights), and that’s what we should be doing for the sport.

“All these blokes on the undercard should be helping promote the sport, not talking rubbish like that.”

Gallen said he’s heard rivals talking tough throughout his rugby league and boxing career, and Hunt’s drastic stance does not scare him.

“Talk is cheap. I’ve been around big, tough guys for 20 years, you see them have a couple of drinks and they all talk s--- and carry on.

Gallen has hammered comments by former UFC fighter Mark Hunt.

“I’ve seen a fair bit, I’m still here. “I’m not scared by it, I’m not intimidated by it.

“I’m going in there to execute what I do in training, and if I do that I’ll win.”

Gallen said a loss would not force his retirement, and that Hunt should be grateful to him for taking on this fight, which will be the main support bout to Tim Tszyu’s clash against Bowyn Morgan on December 16 at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium.

“I’ve been around big, tough guys who talk s--- for 20 years, I’m still here, and I’ll still be here after this fight, win, lose or draw,” Gallen said.

“Is it the end? No. Worst case scenario, I get beat by Mark Hunt, the bloke who says he’s fought the best in the world for 20 years. How is that a blemish on me?

“No one else is willing to get in the ring with him. He should be thanking me, he’s talking about his lawsuits and that sort of crap, he needs the money, there’s no one else in Australia he can fight that’s going to provide this sort of money for him so he should be thanking me.”

Gallen’s trainer, Graham Shaw, said: “He’s fitter than Mark Hunt.

“Has Mark Hunt got six hard, fast-paced rounds in him?

“I think Paul’s got better footwork and that’s what’s going to help him in this fight. If Mark comes out and tries to be heavy-handed and get that knockout, Paul’s got to be light on his feet, make better angles, keep his hands up and anticipate things which he’s really good at.

“If you’ve got fitness, you’ve got to use it. There’s no point getting super fit and not use that in the ring against an opponent you know is not as fit as you.

“We’re going to be pushing the pace. If he’s not pushing it we will be, we’re not going to let up on him.”

Gallen says he is here to promote the sport of boxing and not make a mockery of it.

Meanwhile, Gallen said the “ship has sailed” on the much talked about showdown with Sonny Bill Williams.

“We all know the situation, I’ve said ‘Let’s do it’, we’ve heard nothing in return,” Gallen said.

“When was my first fight, it was 2012 and it got spoken about.

“He’s had neck surgery, so I don’t know if he’ll come back.

“I don’t know what the go is with Sonny, I’ve got nothing against him, I’ve got enormous respect for what he’s done in everything, but I think it’s probably past that time now.

“As Sonny said six months ago, ‘I’d be worried about Mark Hunt’. That’s all I’m worried about, Mark Hunt is the only person on my mind. If I get that done, we’ll worry about who is next after that.”

HUNT’S CHILLING ‘DEATH’ ADMISSION BEFORE GAL FIGHT

Mark Hunt has issued a frightening declaration for his heavyweight fight against Paul Gallen next month.

“I don’t care if I die in there,” Hunt told The Daily Telegraph.

The 46-year-old, who has been a professional fighter for more than two decades, says he has no fear of being killed in the ring by Gallen because the thrill of fight night is greater than the average man will ever experience.

“So long as it’s an even fight, give me that death, because that’s what I do, I’m a modern day gladiator,” Hunt said.

“I don’t mind dying for what I love to do.

“In the UFC I lost that love for it because they stole it from me.

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The former UFC star and Gallen will step in the ring next month.

“I think all fighters should feel that way, you can’t go half-arsed into it. It’s all in, it’s all or nothing for me, all the time.

“So I don’t mind if I die in there, if that happens that’s just how my life is supposed to go.

“We all die, but the problem is not many of us actually ever live.

Gallen will go in as underdog against Hunt.

“I’m not scared of that, I’ve had a crazy life, I’m just trying to live my life to its fullest.

“I don’t fear death because we’re all going to die, but not many of us get to experience life. We’re too busy trying to work to pay bills, doing the 9-5, pay your mortgage off and then die.

“People say to me, ‘Mark, I don’t know how you can still do this’. Not many people get to experience it — fighting is like a drug, when you walk out, it’s better than any high I’ve ever had.

“That’s why I’m still chasing it at my age.”

Hunt will start as a heavy favourite in the six-round clash against Gallen on December 16 at Bankwest Stadium, however the former rugby league star has already predicted he will finish Hunt within four rounds amid a flurry of overwhelming blows …

“We’ll see what happens on the night with his all angles theory and overwhelming me, I saw him fight against Barry Hall (a draw), I didn’t see anything overwhelming in that fight,” Hunt said.

“I didn’t see anything overwhelming. You’re talking to someone who has banged it out with some of the best martial artists in the world for over 20 years, so his overwhelming might just be a short, big shot to his face that makes him see stars.”

Gallen, 39, says Hunt is well past his prime and will fade out quickly in the bout.

“They all say that; I’m too old, too slow, too fat, all that sort of jazz,” Hunt said.

“But a lot of people have said that to their detriment. I’m looking forward to shutting him up.

“He’s a beginner in boxing, to be honest. I don’t think he’s fought anyone that’s actually taken him anywhere that he’s been in trouble.

“I’m going to take him to that place. Whether he can survive, who knows, we’ll find out on December 16th.

“There’s no second place here, I do feel confident in my abilities, and if he wasn’t confident in his own abilities I don’t know what the hell he’s doing here.”

Hunt-Gallen will be the main support fight to Tim Tszyu’s super-welterweight showdown against Kiwi Bowyn Morgan.

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