Paul Gallen admits he turned “passive” when he found out Darcy Lussick would be his next opponent after Josh Aloiai pulled out with COVID.
Gallen tipped the scales much lighter than Lussick at today’s weigh-in, with the former Sharks skipper weighing 101.62kg and Lussick 110.06kg. Lussick, whose only professional boxing bout was a KO win over Justin Hodges in 2019, chose not to say too much after the customary face-off but Gallen conceded it took him a while to focus on this match up and take it seriously.
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“I’m definitely ready, its been a long preparation with the postponement and everything. I’ve really clicked into gear the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“I was pretty passive I suppose when Darcy was announced a month ago. I’m right where I need to be and I’m ready to be aggressive tomorrow night.”
Gallen said a visit by Australian cruiserweight Jason Whateley helped him readjust his focus and helped spark the desire he needed to get motivated.
“He came to training with me the last couple of weeks and just ripped into me last Wednesday night and got into me and fired me up. He got me into the frame of mind I need to be in.
“I thank him for that and my team for organising it. I was pretty passive with Darcy. He’s a good guy there’s nothing personal but I have to smash him.
“What I’ve done in the last couple of years as far as boxing goes I’ve taken it to another level.
“He gets an opportunity to take that away from me and I’m not going to let that happen. I’m going to get in there and rip and tear from the word go. I’ll knock him out in the first two rounds, I’ve got not doubt about that.”
Former NRL players also featured at today’s weigh-in, with Justin Hodges and Nathan Ross almost sharing a kiss when coming nose to nose during the face-off. Ross made out like he wanted to shake hands first then both men somehow ended up joined at the face.
“Time to compete, me versus him, dog eat dog world, it’s time to take over,” Ross said when asked about the face-off.
“I’ve already got him beat, he knows I’m going to take him to deep waters and he can’t match this.”
Hodges said: “He’s a dog isn’t he, that’s what happens with dogs.
“We come face to face tomorrow night and it’s going to mean business. Sparring is one thing but when you put 10 ounce gloves on, I can punch, so if I punch him once he’s going to feel it.”
It was much of the same when Joey Leilua and Chris Heighington weighed in moments later.
Leilua told the former Tigers forward, “I’m going to take your f—-n head off his shoulders,” to which Heighington responded: “See you tomorrow night Joey!” before waving at Leilua.
Where is Gallen v Lussick taking place?
Paul Gallen is back in the ring facing off against Darcy Lussick at The Star Event Centre in Sydney tomorrow night. It will be the final PPV boxing fight card produced in Australia this year.
Gallen vs Lussick tickets
Tickets are still available for the fight. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek.com.au.
How to watch Paul Gallen vs Darcy Lussick live stream, date, time, PPV price
Boxing fans can watch Paul Gallen vs Darcy Lussick live stream on Main Event on Kayo. The PPV start time is 7 pm AEDT. PPV price is $59.95. The preliminary fights will be shown from 6pm on Fox Sports.
FULL FIGHT CARD
MAIN CARD (from 7pm Wednesday AEDT)
Paul Gallen v Darcy Lussick (Heavyweight) (3x 2-minute rounds)
Harry Garside (Pro Debut) v Sachin Mudaliar (Lightweight) (6×3-minute rounds)
Joey Leilua v Chris Heighington (Heavyweight) (4x 2-minute rounds)
Freddy Lussick vs. Taylan May (Cruiserweight) (4×2 minute rounds)
Sam Goodman v Richie Mepranum (Bantamweight) (10×3 minutes rounds)
Justin Hodges vs. Nathan Ross (Heavyweight) (4x 2-minute rounds)
Alex ‘Godly Strong’ Simon vs Tavita Vaoga (Heavyweight) (4×3-minute rounds)
Enja Priest vs Ella Boot (catchweight) (4×2-minute rounds)
From 6pm AEDT
Linn Sandstrom v Natalie Gonzalez Hills (Super slyweight) (6×2-minute rounds)
Malakay Moukayber v Kate McLaren (Welterweight) (4×2-minute rounds)
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