Gallen's grim admission after crunch finale

2 years ago 80

A visibly weathered Paul Gallen made a frightening admittance moments aft beating Justin Hodges successful his boxing farewell.

The rugby league legend said aft his unanimous-points triumph implicit Hodges successful Sydney connected Wednesday night that, though his passionateness for throwing fists successful the ringing hadn't waned, helium was acrophobic of a brutal stroke to the caput forcing him into retirement.

"I'd emotion to support doing this — I truly would. I enjoyed that, it was fun," Gallen told Main Event successful the ring.

AS IT HAPPENED: Gallen overcomes Hodges successful swansong

"But you've got to look the facts that we get old, we dilatory down ... I can't bash what I did 12 months ago. I can't bid arsenic hard, I can't spar arsenic hard and I can't combat arsenic hard.

"So, what's the lone mode retired for me? The lone mode retired is if idiosyncratic ever jumps successful present and idiosyncratic ices maine retired cold. I don't merit that. I don't merit that from idiosyncratic 15 years younger than me.

"So I deliberation it's clip to propulsion the pin."

Even Hodges had admitted earlier the combat that, fixed the undisputed gulf successful fittingness betwixt the NRL greats, helium could lone bushed Gallen with a stoppage.

Gallen dealt with Hodges' vantage successful powerfulness wisely, repeatedly utilizing his near manus and limb to support and jab.

He'd received a terrifying sensation of Hodges' mightiness successful their clash successful Brisbane successful September, crashing to the canvas erstwhile his erstwhile State of Origin foe rocked him successful the 2nd round.

Testament to his staggering toughness, helium bounced backmost up and won by TKO successful the circular that followed.

"I'm conscionable gladsome it's each over. I've had enough," Gallen said aft Wednesday night's rematch.

"I'm 41, turning 42. I conscionable tin consciousness successful sparring, successful my grooming I've conscionable slowed down.

"With each respect to Hodgo, I deliberation 12 months agone I probably, possibly triumph a spot much convincingly.

"But everyone slows down successful beingness and I deliberation it's deed maine now."

Despite different build-up peppered with animosity, determination were nary signs of hatred pursuing the bout astatine the International Convention Centre.

They shared a lengthy clasp and agreed to reminisce implicit a drink.

"We've got large respect for each other," Gallen said.

"I was conscionable saying, 'Well done'.

"He's a warrior. He was a large rugby league player, a star.

"We played a batch of footy together, won a batch of Test matches together.

"We've conscionable got a batch of respect for each other, and I'm definite we'll person a portion tonight, eh, Hodgo? We'll beryllium friends again."

Without a hint of hesitation, Hodges gave Gallen a thumbs-up.

And a cheers was definite to follow.

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