It was clear from the moment Justin Hodges trudged out for his fight with Jordan Simi that the Sydney crowd was against the Queensland State of Origin great.
Hodges copped an onslaught of boos before and during his heavyweight clash with the social media personality at Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night, which the former Maroons centre won via unanimous decision.
So the 40-year-old took great delight in jibing the crowd when he stepped up to the microphone — and he also baited long-time Origin foe Paul Gallen, who he’s set to meet in the ring.
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“Who won the Origin?” Hodges said to a chorus of boos like a pantomime villain.
“Up the Maroons!
“Boo, boo all you want, shut up!”
Hodges was then quizzed by Fox Sports commentator Ben Damon on his looming bout with Gallen.
“Yeah, look, I’ve got one more fight left. I’ve agreed to it, Gal’s agreed to it,” Hodges said.
“He made the bet, whichever team won Origin. Queensland kicked their arse, so he’s got to come up to Queensland.”
While Gallen has a professional boxing record of 12-2-1, Hodges has only fought six bouts for a record of 5-1-0.
Gallen has also survived 10 rounds with Australian champion Justis Huni, to whom he lost via TKO in June 2021.
But Gallen’s superior record does not scare Hodges.
“He might have a lot more experience than me, but I’ll go out and throw as many right hands as I can and (have) only got to get him once,” Hodges said.
“He’s got a pretty big head; I can hopefully catch it.
“I go into every fight confident, like I played rugby league. It’s a different, boxing, and I train my guts out. I’ll go up against Gal. I don’t really give a crap. I’m a man. I’ll face him face to face in the ring.”
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