‘Put your balls on the line’: Paul Gallen’s bold $50k bet for boxing showdown

Paul Gallen has put his money where his mouth this, offering Justin Hodges a six-figure amount if he manages to knock him out.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Paul Gallen gives a smile during a press conference announcing the fight night between Paul Gallen, and Justin Hodges & Ben Hannant at Nissan Arena on August 10, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Paul Gallen is putting his money where his mouth is.

The Cronulla Sharks great is set to finish his boxing career by fighting two Queensland legends Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant on the same night.

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Despite the heavy load, Gallen will go in as the overwhelming favourite for both fights, which will take place at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on September 15.

Gallen and Hodges were talking a big game at Wednesday’s press conference as they vowed to make short work of each other in the ring.

Gallen even proposed a bold bet, challenging Hodges to wager $10,000 and declaring if he manages to knock him out, he would give him $50,000.

“Put your money where your mouth is, put your balls on the line,” he said.

“Have $10,000 on it. I’ll give you five-to-one.

“You’re not man enough … Shake my hand on $10,000. Shake my hand on the $10,000 bet.”

“I beat you in every series at Origin,” Hodges responded, refusing to shake Gallen’s hand.

While boxing pundits give Hodges little to no chance against Gallen, he believes he can beat him.

Gal is feeling confident about fighting the Queenslanders. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“I’ll knock you out easy,” Hodges said.

“I’m going to knock him out. That’s what I’m training for.

“I’ve been working my guts off the last couple of fights preparing myself to what I need to go to.

“I know at some stage he likes to walk forward and that’s going to suit me to a tee, I’m going to catch him.

“I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

Hannant, who Hodges defeated last month, fired Gallen up by declaring the Blues great was more “like a Queenslander”.

“The most hated New South Welshman in history would have to be Paul Gallen,” Hannant said.

“The reason why is because what he brings. He’s actually like a Queenslander, to be honest.”

Gallen hit back: “Please don’t disrespect me like that. Come on.”

“He puts in effort, he keeps showing up, he never gives up,” Hannant explained.

“Against everyone that he goes up against, he thinks he can beat.”

Ben Hannant, Paul Gallen and Justin Hodges. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Gallen’s last fight was a valiant loss to Australian heavyweight champion Kris Terzievski in May.

The exact logistics of how he will fight Hodges and Hannant on the one evening are still being thrashed out, with No Limit promoter George Rose even floating the idea of a WWE-style tag team fight.

“We are working on what the process is going to be for the fight,” Rose said.

“Over the years I’ve watched a lot of WWE, I love the tag teams, I love the Royal Rumbles.

“I love the idea that if Gal stops the first guy, the music playing and the next guy comes running out.

“Whether we can get the tag team option happening in the corner, one guy’s feeling a bit too much heat and tags the other guy.”