Paul Gallen reckons he could 'smash' every current NRL player in a boxing match

There's no denying that Paul Gallen is one of the toughest individuals Australia has ever produced.

But the ex-rugby league star-turned-boxer is still determined to prove just how hard he is – even at 41 years of age.

Not only has he thrown down with some of the biggest and baddest combat sports legends in history, but the Cronulla Sharks and New South Wales Blues legend also reckons he could “smash” every current NRL player too.

Gallen, AKA G-Train, is preparing to face fellow former NRL stars Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant in a WWE-style tag team boxing match.

But while Gallen admits he's focuses firmly on the task at hand, he can't help but turn his attention to some of his old rivals on the footy field, hoping to lure them into the ring for a scrap.

“I was a rugby league player for 20 years, I know what they’re like. You put a dollar in front of them, they’ll jump,” Gallen told Fox Sports.

“And I know I’ve got a reputation for being tight arse, too. But I can tell you all NRL players love money. So if they (No Limit Boxing) put the money up for a player to fight me I have no doubt somebody will jump at it, no doubt at all.

“They won’t struggle to find someone.”

He added: “Whoever they put in front of me.

“I’ve got no issue fighting any current NRL player because there’s not a skerrick of doubt in my mind that I’ll smash every one of them.”

There's plenty of bad blood heading into this unique match-up.

All three men have been trading barbs for what seems like months now and tensions boiled over at the press conference and weigh-ins.

Tempers flared when Hodges and Gallen got up out of their chairs and charged at each other during the press conference.

That was only a bit of push-and-shove, which was nothing compared to the weigh-in where Queensland Origin great Hodges put hand on G-Train's throat as the dup stared each other down.

“Hodgo was just asking if I was ready to go to sleep,” Gallen said.

“Told me I was looking tired and ready to go to sleep.

“I’m not sure what the problem is.

“When I was up here promoting the fight a few weeks ago, I said g’day and shouted him a coffee.”

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/paulgallen/No Limit Boxing/Supplied/NRL

Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League, Boxing, Paul Gallen

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry