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Grumpy Gal vows to KO 'much bigger' ex-NRL enforcer and drops hint over boxing future
Lussick 'not scared' of Gallen | 03:57
Eamonn Tiernan from Fox Sports
December 7th, 2021 3:54 pm
Paul Gallen has put his body through 20 years of punishment but the frustrated ex-NRL enforcer has vowed to dish some out in what could be his final fight.
Gallen, 40, will face former NRL enforcer Darcy Lussick at Sydney's Star Event Centre on December 22.
Lussick is a late replacement for Manly forward Josh Aloiai, who pulled out after contracting Covid-19 last month.
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Lussick, 32, knocked out Broncos great Justin Hodges in just 39 seconds in his only professional fight two years ago today.
Gallen (11-1) is frustrated that his fight with Lussick will be over three two-minute rounds, but he's vowed to impress nonetheless.
"It's frustrating but at the end of the day it's about entertainment," Gallen told foxsports.com.au.
"People want to see footy players punch each other, they can't do it on the field anymore so they get to see us do it in the ring.
"If people want to whinge and carry on about it they can do that but at the end of the day it just gives Paul Gallen haters a reason to give it to me.
Australian boxers Paul Gallen and Darcy Lussick.Source: Supplied
"It's about being entertained and I'll be getting the job done, there's no doubt about that.
"The whole thing is pretty frustrating for me. But I've got no doubt I'll win the fight and I'll do it in whatever way necessary."
Lussick didn't hesitate in taking the fight and said he's adopting the "kill or be killed" approach.
"I'm probably not going to outbox him with his experience so I'm just going to have to go in there and have a red-hot crack and see what happens," Lussick said.
"People say what they want about him but he's tough, he was the toughest in rugby league and he's tough in boxing - two of the hardest sports out there.
"You don't get paid (to fight) in footy. You just get suspended.
"So I'm getting a nice pay cheque just before Christmas and I get to do something that I've wanted to do for a while."
Boxers Paul Gallen and Darcy Lussick. Picture: No Limit Boxing / Brett CostelloSource: Supplied
Lussick stands at 193cm and has a "much bigger" reach advantage over his 180cm rival, but Gallen - who played NRL for almost two decades - isn't concerned.
"My whole career, everyone has been bigger than me. It's going to come down to boxing ability and I've got the edge there," Gallen said.
"He's going to be looking for a big shot and hopefully if he lands it he doesn't land it too clean, but I've got no doubt we're both going to get hit.
"I played footy at the top for 19 years so I suppose I've got a decent pain threshold.
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"It's just about competing."
Gallen has a three-fight contract but the 40-year-old gave no guarantees he'd fight again after Lussick.
"It's too hard to predict what I'm going to do or in what context for me," he said.
"This whole thing has just been frustrating, just trying to do my best and get through the fight and enjoy Christmas, that's what it's all about.
"I've just got to enjoy the fight and get paid."
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