Paul Gallen is disappointed his fight with former NRL enforcer Darcy Lussick will play out over three two-minute rounds.
But the one-time Sharks captain guarantees viewers will still be treated to a show.
Gallen will face Lussick at Sydney’s Star Event Centre on December 22.
Lussick is a replacement fighter for Manly forward Josh Aloiai, whose bout with Gallen was cancelled last month after Aloiai contracted COVID-19.
LIVE UPDATES: England in disarray as Aussies strike
READ MORE: Gilly’s emotional plea to new keeper Carey
READ MORE: Mitchell Johnson blasts ‘absolute crap’ policing of on-field confrontation
“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.
“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.”
Despite a height deficit of 13cm, Gallen (11-1) is not troubled by his rival’s “much bigger” reach advantage. After 348 rugby league games and an impressive boxing career, Gallen developed his forbearance.
“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,” he 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.
“It’s just about competing.”
Despite the late notice, Lussick didn’t hesitate in taking the fight to Gallen.
“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,” he 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 paycheque just before Christmas and I get to do something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.”
With three fights remaining on his contract, Gallen remains unsure how long his boxing career will continue.
“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.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!