Paul Gallen v Mark Hunt: Jeff Fenech predicts dramatic fight upset on back of ex-NRL star’s ‘will to win’
Paul Gallen says ‘there is no way’ he can lose against Mark Hunt and one member of Aussie boxing royalty agrees, even reversing his original fight prediction.
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On the day Paul Gallen claimed “there was no way” he can lose, boxing legend Jeff Fenech has completed an about-face and now predicts the former NRL champion will spring a boilover against ex-UFC star Mark Hunt in Wednesday night’s big fight at Parramatta.
Fenech originally tipped Hunt to overcome Gallen but the former triple world champion now claims Gallen’s fierce mental strength will be the catalyst for a dramatic upset victory.
Hunt has been installed the hot $1.45 favourite with Gallen a $2.70 outsider, according to TAB.
Watch Tszyu vs Morgan + Gallen vs Hunt only on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo on Wednesday 16 December at 7pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
Fenech disagrees with the bookies however, saying: “Do you know what? At the start, I was very much thinking it would be Mark Hunt, but as he the fight gets closer, I am now thinking Gallen will win.
“Gallen is one athlete who loves to win and he will give it his all. And I know he would have prepared properly. Mark is a carefree guy that doesn’t care. Everyone wants to win but I don’t know whether Hunt will want to win as much as Gal.”
The Sharks legend will enter the ring with the same ruthless, single-minded approach he took throughout his decorated rugby league career.
Unbeaten in his nine professional fights, Gallen has trained with intensity and purpose, stunning onlookers at the gym with his raw power.
“I’ve just got a mindset that there’s no way I can lose. I have trained that hard and trained that well – he just can’t beat me,” Gallen said.
“I used to get into that mindset in rugby league, too. If I can take what I’ve done in training into the ring, I’ll win. That’s as simple as it can be for me. It’s unbelievable the mindset you work yourself into after all the training that you’ve done.
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“That’s the way it’s got to be for me and that’s what I’m going to do. As I said, I have a mindset that I can’t lose.
“There is always fear and a fear of failure and you’ve got to remember there is another guy standing across from you in the ring who is thinking he has prepared just as well.
“Boxing and rugby league are totally different sports – you can’t compare the two – but being involved in rugby league for 20 years, it certainly gave me a really good base to work off. It has definitely helped prepare for boxing.”
Gallen will enter the ring with a plan to overcome Hunt but he is also aware boxing tactics can be thwarted when the fists fly.
“I will just have to wait and see how it goes,” Gallen said.
“Everyone has plans but things always change. It’s boxing. I have to react to him. Boxing is pretty reactive.
Watch Tszyu vs Morgan + Gallen vs Hunt only on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo on Wednesday 16 December at 7pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
“I have to react to him and he will react to me. I’m prepared to go six rounds, that’s the biggest thing for me. I’ve just got to stay controlled during the fight. I know I will get hit and punched but I can’t let emotion take over.”
In a great irony, after hating and taunting Queensland throughout his entire Origin career, Gallen actually flew to Brisbane to secure some sparring sessions.
“I finished off by going to Queensland to spar Herman Ene-Purcell and Alex Leapai. Alex fought (Wladimir) Klitschko for a world title,” Gallen said.
“I ended up getting some sparring partners in NSW but, at the start, a lot of guys that I would normally spar with, they were in Mark Hunt’s camp so they wouldn’t spar me.
“The first time up there I sparred both of them on the same day and then the second time I went up and just sparred Alex. I’ve only got a couple of sessions to go and that’s it.”
Asked how he felt heading into enemy territory for his preparation, Gallen said: “Let me tell you, Alex Leapai is a pretty staunch Queenslander. He is (Josh) Papalii’s cousin.
“Alex didn’t let me forget Queensland won this year’s series, that’s for sure. I went to Queensland twice for a couple of days, last week and the week before.
“He was giving it to me over Queensland. He was saying that no-one in NSW would spar me so I had to go to Queensland to get the best sparring. I dislike Queensland around Origin time as they dislike me. But the rest of the time I have respect for them – I’ve got no issue there at all.”
Brutal knockout puts Aussie boxer on US radar
A top-flight American boxing promoter has contacted Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech about taking rising Australian star Brock Jarvis to fight in the United States.
Fenech has received correspondence from US promoter and manager Sterling McPherson after Jarvis’ explosive five-round demolition of fellow Australian featherweight Mark Schleibs in Canberra on Friday night.
Jarvis, who has just turned 23, has now advanced his unbeaten run to 18 with 16 KOs.
“I’ve just had a call from a promoter in America, Sterling McPherson. He’s a guy that used to do some stuff with Mike Tyson,” Fenech said.
“They are very keen on doing some stuff with Brock in America. He messaged me saying he cannot wait to get Brock over there to fight. There will be massive interest from America.
“You know what, I went to America to fight too late and I don’t want that to happen to Brock.
“I thought I was great here and was making decent money. But I knew nothing about it so I won’t let what happen to me happen to Brock.”
Schleibs proved a tough opponent but was eventually worn down by the punching power and strength of Jarvis.
“What Brock did the other night was just ruthless, relentless. The other guy couldn’t win a round. Brock manhandled him,” Fenech said.
“Brock is bigger and stronger than anyone in the sport of boxing. He is one of the fittest boxers in the world.
“He could go ten rounds any day of the week, he could go 12 round because he trains for it.
“The last time he fought Brock was 21. Because of COVID, he’s now 23. Brock is getting better and better every fight.”
Dedicated and clean-living, Jarvis has become one of the most marketable boxers in Australia.
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