‘He’s a dog’: Hodges slams rival, Leilua explodes at Gallen weigh-in

Tempers threatened to boil over as a host of footy stars hit the scales the day before Paul Gallen’s blockbuster against Darcy Lussick.

Tempers flared at the weigh-in.

Tempers flared as boxers weighed in ahead of Wednesday blockbuster fight night in Sydney.

Paul Gallen’s bout against Darcy Lussick is headlining the card, which features a stack of rugby league players.

Watch Paul Gallen vs Darcy Lussick LIVE on Main Event available on Foxtel & Kayo, Wednesday 22nd December from 7pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >

Justin Hodges — who was knocked out by Lussick in the first round of their 2019 bout — takes on former Newcastle flyer Nathan Ross, while Joey Leilua has already created headlines with his trash-talk ahead of a clash with retired Wests Tigers and Cronulla forward Chris Heighington.

After Ross and Hodges hit the scales, they pressed their heads up against one another as some argy bargy threatened to boil over.

“Time to compete. It’s me vs him. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m going to take over,” Ross told Main Event commentator Ben Damon.

“I’ve already got him. I’ve got him beat. We’re going to go into deep waters and he knows he can’t match this.”

Of their weigh-in skirmish, Hodges said: “He’s a dog isn’t he? That’s what happens with dogs.

“It is what it is. We’ll come face-to-face tomorrow night

“Sparring’s one thing but when you put 10 ounce gloves in — I can punch so if I punch him once he’s going to feel it.

“No deep waters bro, it’ll be done in two (rounds).”

There can only be one winner on Wednesday night. Photo: Fox Sports.

Leilua and Heighington also bumped heads and traded some heated words after jumping off the scales, as Leilua signalled his intentions with a throat-slitting gesture.

“I’m gonna f***ing take his head off his shoulders, that’s what I’m going to do,” Leilua said.

No love lost here. Photo: Kayo.

Gallen’s face-off with Lussick was far less dramatic. The former NSW Origin skipper is all business heading into the fight, which he knows is a potential banana skin after his original opponent Josh Aloiai pulled out because he tested positive to Covid-19.

“I feel good, I’m definitely ready,” Gallen said. “It’s been a long preparation, postponed and everything. I’m ready, I’ve really clicked into gear the last couple of weeks. I was pretty passive when Darcy was announced a month ago.

“He’s a good guy. It’s nothing personal here with Darcy - but I have to smash you tomorrow night. I’ve got to rip in.

“I’ve built up so much, not a reputation - but the past couple of years as far as boxing goes I’ve taken it to the another level. He gets the opportunity tomorrow night to take that all away from me. I’m not going to allow it. I’m not going to allow it one bit.

“I’m going to get in there and rip and tear from the word go. I’m going to smash him. I knock him out in the first two rounds, I’ve got no doubt about that.”

Wednesday night full fight card

Paul Gallen vs Darcy Lussick (Heavyweight) (3x 2-minute rounds)

Harry Garside (Pro Debut) vs Sachin Mudaliar (Lightweight) (6x 3-minute rounds)

Joey Leilua vs Chris Heighington (3x 2-minute rounds)

Justin Hodges vs Nathan Ross (Heavyweight) (3x 2-minute rounds)

Freddy Lussick vs Taylan May

Godly Strong vs Tavita Vaogo

Linn Sandstrom vs Natalie Hills

Katie McLaren vs Malakay Moukayber

Enja Prest vs Ella Boot

Originally published as ‘He’s a dog’: Hodges slams rival, Leilua explodes at Gallen weigh-in