Boxing news: Matt Lodge to fight Paul Gallen on condition they raise $1 million for charity

Sydney Roosters forward Matt Lodge has confirmed he is willing to fight Paul Gallen – but with one massive condition that could rock the Gallen camp.

Sydney Roosters prop Matt Lodge has emerged as a possible opponent for Paul Gallen.

Sydney Roosters forward Matt Lodge has offered Paul Gallen the chance to play the hero, confirming he is open to fighting the former rugby league star and donating his entire purse to help kids in western Sydney.

Lodge has already been sounded out about a fight against Gallen and he posted his response on social media late on Monday, saying he would take the fight on the condition he was able to raise at least $1 million for charity.

“Last week Paul Gallen said he would ‘smash any current NRL player’ and wants to do so for his last fight,” Lodge wrote.

“Well, after a lot of thinking, I’m willing to give 99 percent of people what they want. I’ll jump in the ring with the best boxer rugby league has and give him his grand finale.

“Whenever he wants, as many rounds as he wants. Bankwest stadium or Northies. I don’t really care. You choose.

Matthew Lodge has called out Paul Gallen. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“And I don’t want a single dollar for it. Instead I want everyone to throw in what they can afford, get the popcorn out, sit on the lounge and enjoy.

“I want to donate it all to a good cause. I’ll set up a go-fund me page. When it hits $1 million, I’ll commit and on top of that, I’ll donate my entire purse to the cause.”

News Corp revealed last week that Lodge had been sounded out about the prospect of a fight with Gallen in December, the match-up billed as the battle of the bad boys.

For the first time in his career, Gallen would expect to enter the ring as the crowd favourite given Lodge remains one of the rugby league’s most reviled figures.

Lodge is happy to play the villain if it means raising money to help kids in his native western Sydney.

“For everyone that can’t forgive me and feels I need to be punished, well, here’s your chance to watch,” Lodge wrote.

“By my calculations, there has got to be around 50,000 people booing me every touch of the ball for years. That’s only $20 each.

“Come on guys, put your money where your mouth is. It is for a good cause and hopefully I can stop a few kids making the same mistakes I did.

“I’m not a boxer, I have no interest in being a boxer. I’ve never had a boxing fight and by no means am I calling you out.

“They have been asking me to do it behind the scenes and this time around I see it as an opportunity. Not for me but for kids in the area.

“I’ll take a beating off the best rugby league turned boxer there is on TV to make some kids’ lives better.

“And just like Paul wants, this time I’ll be the villain and he can be the hero. Do it for the people, Gal.”

Paul Gallen v Justin Hodges. Gallen has one more fight before retirement. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Gallen has already indicated his next fight will be his last, which means it is now or never for Lodge.

“This one is the perfect finish for you,” Lodge wrote.

“And I’m sure the pay per views will back that up. In fact I know they will. I remember all your criticism towards me.

“Well now is your chance. Be the hero. Let’s do it. Let’s make a difference. I understand you’re a ‘prize’ fighter – and I am giving you the prize.

“In return, some kids out west will come out on top. C’mon Gal, you were raised in the west too.”

NRL bad boy lined up for blockbuster bout

By Peter Badel

Former Broncos enforcer Matt Lodge has emerged as a shock contender to take on Paul Gallen in a blockbuster clash between two of the NRL’s greatest villains.

News Corp can reveal Lodge has been sounded out on the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Gallen for the NSW Origin legend’s boxing career swansong in December.

Gallen and Justin Hodges have discussed a re-match on Sydney soil as the Broncos great looks to avenge his controversial stoppage loss after dropping the Sharks champion in the second round.

But another Bronco - Lodge - could sensationally steal Hodges’ thunder.

Lodge and Gallen are two of the most polarising NRL figures of the past decade and promoters No Limit Boxing are mindful of the narrative that would be whipped up surrounding two rugby league bad boys.

Lodge was the most reviled man in the NRL when he was thrown a lifeline by the Broncos after serving a two-year ban from the ban following his infamous New York rampage in 2015.

Matt Lodge would be a spicy opponent for Paul Gallen in the NRL legend’s swan song fight.

Adding to the fireworks, Gallen slammed Lodge over his American incident, saying in 2018: “I’ve since found out more about the story and found out Matt actually threatened a woman, which in my book is bad enough, so my opinion of Matt in this situation is greatly lowered.”

Those comments from Gallen would make a grudge match with Lodge a potential pay per view bonanza.

Gallen said on Wednesday he was tired of being a sporting villain and many rugby league fans would relish the prospect of Cronulla’s premiership hero bashing Lodge, who had a brief stint at the Roosters this season after quitting the Warriors.

It is understood Gallen has been given a list of several NRL players for his retirement fight - and the 27-year-old Lodge is a front-runner.

In the lead-up to his double header against Hodges and Ben Hannant, Gallen said he had no interest in taking on a fully-fledged professional for his swansong fight.

“I will be relieved when it’s all over, I’m done with sparring,” he said.

“I’m 41 now and I’ve had my big fights against professionals like Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski.

“I’m happy to fight another rugby league player for my last fight in December. A few names have been thrown at me, including Junior Paulo (Parramatta prop), so we’ll see what happens.”

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

Paul Gallen climbed off the canvas to conjure a stunning comeback defeat of Justin Hodges in his double header bout also involving Ben Hannant in Brisbane.

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.

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 immediately called for a re-match with Gallen, who has one fight left on his No Limit contract and is open to reigniting the Origin Rumble - 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 re-match, he deserves a re-match, 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.”

Originally published as Boxing news: Matt Lodge to fight Paul Gallen on condition they raise $1 million for charity