‘Rematch’: Paul Gallen offers Justin Hodges revenge after controversial TKO

Paul Gallen has promised Justin Hodges a rematch after Thursday night’s bloody brawl, but the former Maroon will need to act fast.

Ben Hannant takes on Paul Gallen on Thursday night. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Paul Gallen should have been disqualified for his illegal punch on Justin Hodges.

That’s the opinion of even Gallen’s own promoters, No Limit Boxing, after the NSW legend’s double-header against Queensland duo Hodges and Ben Hannant ended in a firestorm of Origin-style controversy.

Brisbane’s Nissan Arena became a crackling colosseum when Hodges sensationally dropped Gallen in the second round of the second bout, raising the prospect of a trademark Queensland Origin boilover.

But the bout turned ugly when Gallen, having climbed off the canvas, forced Hodges backwards, pinned him on the ropes and unleashed a savage right hand just as the ex-Broncos skipper threatened to fall out of the ring.

A furious Hodges complained to referee Tony Kettlewell, who could have easily deducted a point from Gallen, but instead implored the pair to continue fighting.

Paul Gallen teaches Justin Hodges a lesson in defending yourself at all times.

Paul Gallen defeated Justin Hodges in their bout at Nissan Arena. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Clearly rattled by a punch described as a “dog shot”, Hodges (5-2, 2KO) was ultimately stopped in the third round, but No Limit boss Matt Rose believes braveheart Gallen (14-2-1, 8KO) was lucky to escape with his rough-house tactics.

“It’s fair to say the illegal shot is what cost the whole fight being a real fight,” Rose said.

“The shot on the ropes ... Gallen should have had points taken off him and ‘Hodgo’ should have been given time (to recover).

“Had he (Hodges) taken a knee, ‘Gal’ would have lost by disqualification.

“It was said to me straight after the fight that’s what would have happened.”

Hodges, who was ahead on points after the first two rounds, was seething at the referee’s lack of action.

Hodges knocks down Gallen in the second round during their bout at Nissan Arena. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I almost fell out of the ropes, so I stopped protecting myself,” he said.

“Gallen punched me when I thought I wouldn’t get punched, but the ref didn’t give me a chance to get off the ropes.”

Asked whether his punch was illegal, Gallen said: “The referee said before the fight if you can throw a punch, throw a punch ... Hodgo went back (on the ropes) and I threw a punch.

“The first rule in boxing is to protect yourself at all times and if you can fight, then fight.

“The ref had no issue with it, I had no issue with it, so it’s part of the game.”

Hodges was equally livid with the fight’s conclusion.

Referee Kettlewell ended proceedings after Hodges copped a volley of rapid-fire punches, headlined by a powerful right, but he argued that, unlike Gallen, he never fell to the canvas.

“I know he has a duty of care to look after the fighters, but I would absolutely rather get knocked out than the ref stops the fight like that,” Hodges fired.

“It pisses me off to be honest.

“When I dropped Gal, I charged him because I knew if I could pour the pressure on him, the ref would stop it.

“I was hitting him with everything and the ref didn’t stop it, but as soon as I got hit twice, he stepped in.

“I don’t understand why he did that.

“Gal got two good shots on me, but he didn’t hurt me. I actually dropped Gal and was punching the crap out of him, but the ref let it go.

“That’s the most frustrating thing. I never got dropped.

“It doesn’t make sense does it?”

Gallen lands a solid left on Hodges. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Gallen works over Hodges on the ropes. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Of his knockdown punch, Hodges said: “It did feel good dropping him, I won’t lie. That’s what everyone wanted to see, a Queenslander smash him.

“Gallen has been in some tough wars but I held my own against him.

“I thought I had him beat, but I can’t dwell on it.”

Hodges immediately called for a rematch with Gallen, who has one fight left on his No Limit contract and is keen to reignite the Origin Rumble for his retirement bout in December - provided it’s on his home turf.

“Hodgo was worthy in there,” Gallen said.

“Everyone saw him drop me so he deserves it.

“If he wants a rematch, he deserves a rematch, but it has to be over at least six, three-minute rounds and we will do it in Sydney.

“We did this fight up here because we had a bet and I won this fight fair and square, so if he wants to do it again, we will do it in Sydney.

“I can prepare mentally for one more fight and that will be it.”

Ben Hannant (R) went the distance with Gallen in the early fight. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Earlier, Hannant showed great courage to go the distance with Gallen, who walked away with a unanimous points victory (40-37, 40-36, 40-36).

Even allowing for a one-hour rest, the four-round slugfest with Hannant, who inflicted a major bruise under Gallen’s left eye, took some petrol out of the 41-year-old’s tank for his follow-up bout with Hodges.

“It (fighting two men) was probably a bit tougher than I thought it would be,” Gallen said.

“One thing I was worried about was the emotional let down.

“After a fight, you get an emotional drain and that affected me more than I thought it would.

“That was harder than I thought it would be, but I came here to win and I did that so it was good.

“This year is it. If Hodgo wants a rematch, yeah we can do it, but that will be it for me.”

(l-R) Hodges and Gallenembrace after the fight. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

MAIN EVENT: PAUL GALLEN DEF. JUSTIN HODGES VIA TKO

ROUND 3

It’s over! Gallen stops Hodges as the referee steps in. No Limit boss Matty Rose can be seen screaming at the referee. Hodges was never the same after that dog shot in the previous round. Hodges is fuming but the result is final.

ROUND 2

Paul Gallen is down! Hoges drops his rival with a beautiful left hand. Gallen does well to survive. OH MY WORD! The referee has lost complete control as Gallen pushes Hodges over the ropes and lands a huge shot. Hodges is down but the ref tells him to get up. Wild stuff as Gallen explodes.

ROUND 1

Soldier Boi - I don’t know why that’s fitting walkout music for Hodgo but it is. Gal out to that weird song that is in every Year 12 end-of-season rugby highlight package. OK, here we go! Gal’s head is busted up. Gal looking for the early finish. OH! Hodges rocks Gallen with a relentless combination. Another right hand lands on the left-side of Gallen’s noggin. Gallen warned for rabbit punching. Great round. That’s a draw 10-10 ... I’m sitting on the fence.

9.25PM: JOE GOODALL DEF ARSENE FOSSO VIA TKO

The final fight before the main event ... could be a quick one. Joe Goodall scores the TKO to bounce back from his devastating loss to Justis Huni.

8.55PM: LACHIE HIGGINS DEF BEN HUSSAIN VIA TKO

‘Bubba’ and Hussain are up. The ‘Hypebeast’ has been derailed by Lachie Higgins. ‘Bubba’ scored a second round TKO to win the IBO Oriental middleweight belt.

Good to see Lachie Bubba Higgins getting the win after being robbed in Melbourne in his last outting #boxing#ozboxing#GallenHodges

— Shaun McNamara (@ShaunMcNamara) September 15, 2022

8.43PM: JUNIOR TAFA VS. DAVID TULILOA VIA TKO

UFC hopeful Junior Tafa has won his boxing debut. Will he win the heart of Uncle Dana?

And that's all she wrote - speed kills ladies and gentlemen!!! @JuniorTafa is the real deal - yet another KO for him and his third in as many months. 40kgs weight disparity and no issue at all, a real fighters fighter 😤👏🔥 #OriginRumble

— Hudson Gelfand (@GelfandHudson) September 15, 2022

Renold Quinlan KO-victory over Jack Bowen.

#OriginRumblepic.twitter.com/mReFqzp5ty

— Permante (@PermantexG) September 15, 2022

8.18: PAUL GALLEN DEF BEN HANNANT VIA DECISION 40-37, 40, 36, 40-36

Paul Gallen kicked off his double header in style with a unanimous points victory over a brave Ben Hannant, who carried two broken ribs into their showdown at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.

There was much conjecture over which fighter would kick off proceedings against Gallen, but Hannant - not Justin Hodges - emerged first and he impressed the crowd with a wholehearted display.

Gallen was tipped to knockout Hannant but the Polar Bear bared his teeth and made the former NSW Origin skipper work hard for his unanimous points (40-37, 40-36, 40-36) victory.

Incredibly, Hannant suffered two broken ribs in a park football match a month ago and he kept the injury secret to ensure there were no excuses entering the ring against Gallen.

Gallen will be given at least a one-hour break before he returns to the ring to face Hodges, who will fancy an upset after watching Hannant take plenty of gas out of the 348-game NRL luminary.

Paul Gallen and Ben Hannant exchange punches. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Both men finished with some bruising, with Gallen’s trainers applying ice under his left eye in the dressing room.

“Ben Hannant is one tough guy, I have played footy at the highest level with him, he is tough as nails,” Gallen said.

“I came forward and he kept closing the distance, so he did really well.

“I was actually surprised by his movement.

Hannant was thrilled with his performance, made more impressive by the revelation he entered the ring with busted ribs.

“I’m not a fighter, everyone knows that, but the best way to learn is to get hit,” Hannant said.

“I got an injury four weeks ago playing park footy.

“I broke two of my ribs and if Gal got me in that area, I would have been stuffed, but there’s no excuses, he is a much better fighter than me.

“I just wanted to show I never quit and here I am, still standing.

“I still have a pretty face and I know I hurt Gallen, I got him with a good right and he nearly went down, but he was too good overall.”

ROUND 4

Fourth and final round. Gal, perhaps unwisely, is looking for the finish here. The man wants to make a statement but it could prove detrimental for the return bout. Hannant throwing a masterful double punch. GALLEN IS CUT LATE! The New South Welshman takes out the first fight but Hodgo will be targeting that mouse under Gal’s left eye. Gallen couldn’t resist a jab at Hodgo after the fight: “I always said he (Hannant) was tougher than Hodges.”

I feel the swelling is going to get much worse in the time between fights, as well as the adrenaline wearing off and the pain setting in #OriginRumble

— Max Collis (@MaxCollisMMA) September 15, 2022

Lets see how Gallen face holds up in the Hodges fight #OriginRumble

— Luke Mercieca (@LukeMercieca95) September 15, 2022

ROUND 3

More of the same. It’s not pretty - much like how these men went about their footy! Benny Hannant is absolutely pooped. Gal not so much ... but time will tell. “He’s done his job for Queensland whatever happens,” Ben Damon muses as the bell rings. Gallen 30-29

Ben Hannant, a terrific bloke #originrumble

— Aaron Holloway (@Aaronholloway96) September 15, 2022

ROUND 2

The Polar Bear now looks like he’s going extinct on his chair between rounds. The body punches he took in the first may have taken a toll. Gallen ramping up his output. Hannant on wobbly legs but he won’t back down! Gal wins it comfortably 20-20

ROUND 1

Here we go! The Polar Bear looks like Kelly ‘The Ghost’ Pavlick at Nissen Arena! Hannant measuring Gal with his jab as two right hands creep through. Gal’s plan is clear - conserve energy and pick his shots. Gal looks comfortable on the chair. Hannant 10-9

7.52PM: A FRUSTRATED GAL SPEAKS

Flanked by his son for the first time during his boxing career, a wrapped and ready Paul Gallen says he will take his frustrations out on Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant as the order of the fight remains a mystery.

“It has been frustrating,” Gallen said of the fight order. “Even today I rang Matt Rose and said the media is out of the way let me know who’s coming first but he still wouldn’t let me know.

“I don’t care, I’m ten times fitter than these guys, ten times tougher so it doesn’t matter who comes out first.”

Gal spotted warming up with his son. A lovely little moment.

7.45PM: TY TELFORD DEF VANLALAWMPUIA VIA TKO

Welcome back Ty Telford! The Aussie dispatches Vanlalawmpuia in the first.

7.35PM: RENOLD QUINLAN DEF. JACK BOWEN VIA KO

Renold Quinlan is back! The journeyman loves an upset, stopping Daniel Geale for a world title but this knockout win over rising star Jack Bowen may just be the best victory of his career after a recent eight-fight slide.

There isn't a tougher bloke in Australia than Renold Quinlan.#OriginRumble#Boxing

— Jared Timms (@JaredTimms) September 15, 2022

What a knockout wow #OriginRumble

— Abbz83 (@abbz83) September 15, 2022

7.21PM: HORN’S FEARS, FIGHT ORDER

Australian boxing legend Jeff Horn believes the odds are against Paul Gallen tonight.

The former world champion identified the hour gap between bouts are likely to physically and mentally drain Gallen.

“I don’t see how Gallen wins,” Horn said on the Main Event coverage. “You’re physically and mentally stuffed after the first fight and then you have another fresh guy jumping in.”

“I’m guessing Gallen will want to get Justin Hodges out of the ring early before bringing it home against Hannant.”

Ben Hannant revealed he and Hodges will both prepare to fight first but still remain in dark over the order.

7.15PM: GALLEN, HODGES ARE IN THE BUILDING

Paul Gallen.

Justin Hodges ... and Nate Myles?

HOW GALLEN’S HISTORIC BOUTS WILL UNFOLD

After weeks of discussion, which saw Gallen threaten to walk away, the format has been confirmed.

Both fights will be four, two-minute rounds and Gallen is set to have at least an hour break in between.

Ben Hannant is expected to be the first opponent before Justin Hodges and Gallen close the card.

Earlier in the week, Gallen accused his promoter No Limit of throwing him under the bus for not telling their fighter the order.

“In general, (I’m) not feeling great about it,” Gallen told news.com.au.

“My preparation is going OK, I’m definitely fit. My fight fitness and everything is fine, but I’m not happy about.

“It’s a big ask — fighting two guys on one night and I still don’t know who I’m fighting first and what’s going on, how the fight’s going to work. It’s a bit of a pain in the a*** to be honest.”

Adding to Gallen’s frustration is the extraordinary financial incentive for Hodges and Hannant should they beat their rival.

The Queensland greats agreed terms on a rematch clause that will see the duo pocket $1 million each for a return bout with Gallen, who will have his retirement fight in December.

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Originally published as ‘Rematch’: Paul Gallen offers Justin Hodges revenge after controversial TKO