Paul Gallen v Justis Huni fight: Call for controversial gloves to be used in a bid to torture Gallen

They are the most feared gloves in world boxing. And Justis Huni plans to use them to leave Paul Gallen battered and bruised in their upcoming heavyweight showdown.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 19: Paul Gallen speaks to media during a media opportunity at Suncorp Stadium on May 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Paul Gallen has been warned he risks facing a savage knockout after a demand from Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni to use the most brutal gloves in boxing.

News Corp can reveal the Huni camp has requested using the controversial Everlast MX horsehair gloves in a bid to bludgeon Gallen in their heavyweight showdown on June 16 at Sydney’s International Convention Centre.

Gallen’s last fight against Lucas Browne had a dramatic build-up when Browne offered to use the horsehair gloves — banned in some parts of the boxing world — only for the Gallen camp to reject the equipment.

This time, Gallen will do what it takes to secure his monster $1.5 million pay day.

The Everlast MX horsehair gloves are a feared weapon because they have very little padding in the knuckles area, which means every punch is delivered with more ferocity.

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Paul Gallen could be running headlong into a hailstorm of hard knocks when he takes on Justin Huni if a request for special gloves is approved.

That spells trouble for Gallen (11-0-1, 6KO), with Huni’s trainer and father Rocky calling for the Everlast horsehair gloves to be deployed to ensure the former NRL star suffers the most painful defeat of his fight career.

“We have agreed to fight in the Everlast MX horsehair gloves,” Huni’s promoter Dean Lonergan said.

“What that means is Paul Gallen is facing a painful hiding. What I can assure Paul is these gloves will lead to a knockout.

Australian heavyweight champion Huni (left) is determined to bludgeon Gallen.

“A lot of fighters don’t want to use horsehair gloves because of the damage inflicted.

“The big punchers like to fight with them because their knuckles show through the glove when the horsehair separates and the force of the punch is greater.

“I remember Jeff Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton saying he never wanted Jeff fighting with horsehair gloves because the damage inflicted by punches is far greater than gloves with foam padding.

“Justis has specifically asked to fight in the Everlast horsehair gloves and Paul Gallen has agreed to it, so he is one courageous man.

“Rocky Huni wants his son to knock out Paul Gallen and these gloves will help him do it.”

The horsehair gloves have previously caused ructions at the highest echelons of world boxing.

Australian Olympics gold-medal hopeful Huni means business against Gallen.

In 2014, US legend Floyd Mayweather would not allow Marcos Maidana to wear the MX gloves before their first fight. Maidana caved, and while it was reported Mayweather had paid him an additional $1.5 million not to wear the gloves, Maidana rejected that figure.

Gallen told News Corp he has never worn a pair of horsehair gloves and would be guided by his team of trainers.

Regardless of the tools of trade, the NSW Origin legend accepts he faces a huge assignment upsetting Huni (3-0, 3KO) but vowed to pressure the 22-year-old like never before.

Huni faces Christian Tsoye next Wednesday night before fighting Gallen just 21 days later.

“He hasn’t fought anyone with heart like me,” Gallen said.

“I think it’s ordinary he is fighting Tsoye so close to me. If he gets cut in that fight, my fight will be called off.

“I am not as good a boxer as him, but if he has doubt, I will expose it.

“I won’t outbox him, I know that, but I will find doubt in his mind and expose it.

“I am not here to lose. The pay day is great, but I’m a competitor and I would love nothing more than to beat this bloke.”

Originally published as Paul Gallen v Justis Huni fight: Call for controversial gloves to be used in a bid to torture Gallen