They talked the talk, and boy did they walk the walk.
Paul Gallen and Mark Hunt combined for one hell of a slugfest that lived up to its blockbuster billing on the biggest night on the Australian boxing calendar this year.
Both men landed some seriously heavy blows in a fight that lasted the full six rounds, despite Gallen looking on several occasions like he would lose his feet.
The NRL legend showed tremendous heart to come away with a unanimous points victory (58-56 x 2, 59-55).
"He hit me in round two ... I don't know what he got me with actually but it rocked me for a second," Gallen said.
"I'm so fit at the moment, I've trained so hard."
This was far from the gimmick some cynics may have expected, especially considering Hunt last fought in the UFC in 2018. Every round was action-packed as momentum swung but somehow Gallen survived even when it looked like he was gone after copping some enormous punches from a man more than 24kg heavier than him.
Hunt landed a huge right hand in the opening round as an existing cut under Gallen's right eye threatened to open up. The former Sharks skipper wobbled badly after eating a clean hook from his 46-year-old opponent in the second and was rocked by another left hand but held on gamely.
Gallen came out with purpose in the third and was the more active fighter, getting busy as he focused on shortening the distance between himself and Hunt. He worked the MMA icon up against the ropes and unloaded a barrage of body shots and uppercuts, showing tons of courage and stamina to shrug off his earlier knocks.
It was a similar story in the fourth with Gallen getting on top whenever he got within close range but Hunt took his chances and once again looked like he would put his rival to sleep with yet another huge left hook that made Gallen stumble.
Unsteady on his feet, the footy legend looked like he would tumble at any moment but recovered to land some meaningful shots of his own at the end of the round.
The absorbing war continued in the fifth as both men let their right hands loose. Gallen tagged Hunt then Hunt responded with a monster punch of his own as Gallen wore another painful blow.
But the story of the night was Gallen's resilience, continuing to walk forward no matter how much punishment he received and the two warriors traded blows until the end when Gallen raised his hands in triumph as the bell sounded.
Updates
Round-by-round summary
Round 1: Cagey opening by both men, Hunt misses two big right hands as Gallen looks prepared to move around the ring. Hunt lands a right then Gallen does the same, before the NRL star gets pinged by an uppercut against the ropes. An existing cut under his right eye has opened up slightly.
Round 2: Gallen dances around then lands a solid right hand followed by a clean left jab. But Hunt lands a brutal hook and wobbles Gallen, who looks hurt but does well to stay on his feet. Hunt dominates the round, hurting Gallen with another left hook.
Round 3: Gallen shows his courage and stamina by working hard to get back into the fight, closing the distance and pressing forward to unload a barrage of punches from close range. Gallen more active than Hunt, combining body shots with uppercuts.
Round 4: Gallen doing damage when he stays in close but a huge left hook from Hunt connected cleanly and the footy star was visibly rocked. His legs were going but somehow he kept his feet and stayed in the fight by landing punches of his own at the end of the round.
Round 5: Gallen starts the aggressor, landing two jabs but Hunt keeps swinging and hurts Gallen again. Both men are throwing their right hands at will and one straight jab from Gallen tags Hunt, before the Sharks legend wears a huge hit himself. It's a war.
Round 6: Gallen keeps going right until the end, throwing punches even in the face of some brutal punishment. They trade shots against the ropes as the bell sounds to end the fight.
Gallen nearly causes fight to be cancelled
A forgetful Paul Gallen nearly caused his fight against Mark Hunt to be cancelled after a key possession went missing on Wednesday evening.
The Daily Telegraph reports the NRL legend couldn't find his blue book with all his medical information. Fighters are not allowed to step in the ring without providing the details within that book.
The publication reports Gallen searched for the blue book for two hours before arriving at Bankwest Stadium at around 7pm, with officials giving the bout the green light half an hour later.
Fox Sports reporter Matt Russell said there was a "flurry of worried activity" as phone calls were made to top officials before Gallen found his book, allowing the show to go on.
Gallen's message for Hunt
Paul Gallen has arrived at Bankwest Stadium, rolling out of his car with a message for Mark Hunt.
Wearing a t-shirt sponsored by betting company Sportsbet, the front simply read "Hunter".
Fight card
Main card
Tim Tszyu vs Bowyn Morgan — 10 rounds, light middleweight
Paul Gallen vs Mark Hunt — 6 rounds, heavyweight
Paul Fleming vs Bruno Tarimo — technical draw following accidental head clash, bleeding
Liam Wilson defeated Rodynie Rafol via TKO, Round 3
Darragh Foley defeated Ty Telford via split decision (94, 93-96, 97-93)
Preliminary card
Tyson Lantry defeated Luke Jackson via majority decision (57-57, 60-54, 58-57)
Riccardo Colosimo defeated Dillon Bargero via TKO, Round 1
Trent Girdham defeated Oscar Doane via unanimous decision (40-35 x2, 29-36)
Why Gallen will win
Tim Tszyu has predicted Paul Gallen will emerge a shock winner if he can withstand Mark Hunt's early barrage.
Hunt's punching power savage but the 46-year-old, whose last UFC fight was in 2018, may run out of steam the longer the fight drags on.
"Paul Gallen is a workhorse, he's a machine who doesn't stop and he'll be coming non-stop," Tszyu said in a promotional video for the TAB.
"My money's on Gallen due to the fact that if he can survive the early onslaught of Mark Hunt, I think he's got it in the bag.
"But if he's not able to survive it, it's Mark Hunt."
Bennett takes aim at 'villain' Gallen
Queensland Maroons coach Wayne Bennett has thrown his support behind Mark Hunt ahead of his bout with former NSW Blues captain Paul Gallen.
“I do have enormous respect for Paul," Bennett said. "He played with great toughness for Cronulla and to go on to another career in boxing, and take it as seriously as he has, deserves some respect.
"When you get in that ring, there is no-one to help you. Gallen’s biggest fear would be embarrassing himself. I don’t think he will embarrass himself because he is a very determined guy.
“But there’s no doubt Gallen gets us Queenslanders pumped up … I’m sure every Queenslander would love to see him get beaten this week."
Gallen represented New South Wales in 24 State of Origin matches between 2006 and 2016.
Superfight set to shatter 14-year record
Wednesday evening's Sydney Superfight boasts two mouth-watering co-main events, and is reportedly on track to break the all-time Australian pay-per-view record.
Purchases for tonight's event are quickly approaching 200,000, and the pre-sales have already surpassed Tim Tszyu’s bout against Jeff Horn in August.
No Limit Promotions chief executive George Rose, who served as a promoter for the Sydney Superfight, told The Daily Telegraph: “We’d love to break that record, it would be huge for us.
“If we don’t do it now, we’ll be looking for it in the next one. We’ll keep trying to chase those titles from our side of the fence, that’s what we want to do."
'Frightening': Trainer's warning for Gallen
Mark Hunt's trainer has issued a dire warning to Paul Gallen ahead of their blockbuster clash on Wednesday.
Rich Fogarty has trained the 46-year-old Hunt for several years, and predicted the former Cronulla Sharks captain would be finished within four rounds.
"His dedication in this fight camp has been second-to-none.
“Everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done.
"Come fight night, when Mark Hunt goes into battle, it’s at 100 per cent – and it’s frightening."
Fogarty has worked alongside a cluster of UFC superstars, including Jon Jones, Alistair Overeem, Diego Sanchez and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
Who will win? Betting plunge on Gallen
Hunt ($1.40) is a short-priced favourite although Gallen ($2.80) has shortened since betting first opened.
The result could depend on how serious the arm injury the former NSW Origin captain suffered which had put the bout in doubt – and Hunt’s fitness.
Gallen’s best hope is to put relentless pressure on the older man and prevent him from unloading heavy shots.
Gallen has little hope of finishing Hunt – who has an incredible chin – but might be able to work his way towards a points victory.
Gallen v Hunt: Tale of the tape
Paul Gallen and Mark Hunt face off at Tuesday's weigh-in. Picture: Getty
PAUL GALLEN Age: 39 Height: 180cm Weight: 104kg Boxing record: 10 fights 9 wins 1 draw Most recent fight: Barry Hall in November, 2019 – Majority draw
MARK HUNT Age: 46 Height: 178cm Weight: 127kg Boxing record: Two fights one loss one draw Kickboxing record: 43 fights 30 wins 13 losses MMA record: 29 fights 13 wins 14 losses one draw one no contest Most recent fight: Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night in December, 2018 – Unanimous decision loss
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