Defeated Hodges fumes at ref as rematch locked in

Justin Hodges was infuriated astatine the referee's determination to extremity his bout with Paul Gallen, branding the telephone "bullcrap".

But the arguable result resulted successful the rugby league legends agreeing instantly aft Thursday night's fight, adjacent earlier stepping retired of the ring, to person a rematch.

About an hr aft Gallen defeated Ben Hannant via unanimous determination astatine Brisbane's Nissan Arena, helium conquered another Queensland Maroons large successful a TKO triumph implicit Hodges.

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Justin Hodges was furious astatine the referee's determination to extremity his bout with Paul Gallen, but a rematch is looming. (Getty)

The referee stopped the combat precocious successful the 3rd circular arsenic Hodges copped a bid of blows portion jammed against the ropes.

Gallen, 41 and approaching the past combat of his career, revealed successful his ringing interrogation that Hodges had already challenged him to a rematch.

"Hodgo conscionable asked if I'd springiness him a rematch and I said, 'Yeah'. So, that's up to No Limit and that's up to you boys, but Hodgo's asked for a rematch," Gallen said.

"It wouldn't beryllium implicit two-minute rounds; it'd beryllium my six (three-minute rounds), which is just enough.

Paul Gallen squares disconnected with Justin Hodges during their bout astatine Brisbane's Nissan Arena. (Getty)

"And we'd beryllium doing it successful Sydney. We did this 1 successful Queensland, we'll beryllium doing the adjacent successful Sydney.

"If No Limit's up for that, I'm up for that."

Hodges unleashed connected Gallen from the get-go and, with astir 75 seconds remaining successful the 2nd round, adjacent knocked the New South Wales Blues icon to the canvas.

Gallen's phenomenal tenacity was connected amusement arsenic helium climbed disconnected the floor, returned occurrence and outlasted his rival, albeit successful polarising scenes.

Gallen conquers Hodges successful brutal fight

"I cognize the ref's got a occupation to do, (but) determination was nary mode successful the satellite I was hurt," Hodges said.

"It was implicit bullcrap. I'm an eventual professional, I instrumentality it connected the chin.

"If Gal wants to bash six three-minute rounds, it's up to (No Limit Boxing main executives) Matty (Rose), up to George (Rose).

"I privation a rematch — that was bullshit."

George Rose had nary hesitation successful green-lighting the rematch.

"They privation a rematch. We've got a amusement successful mid-November," Rose said.

"If they're acceptable to spell mid-November, I'm blessed to enactment that connected arsenic a headliner due to the fact that I privation much fireworks similar that."

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