Paul Gallen is no stranger to throwing the first punch when it comes to verbal warfare and his latest barb has set the tone for his next bout.
Paul Gallen knows he’s “got to smash” Darcy Lussick on Wednesday night and accused the former NRL player of taking the fight because “it’s a good payday for him”.
Gallen was originally slated to fight Manly forward Josh Aloiai, but he withdrew from the bout after contracting Covid-19.
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Lussick, who has just one boxing fight under his belt with a knockout victory over Justin Hodges, stepped up to the plate and will look to hand Gallen his second consecutive loss.
A crushing defeat to Justis Huni left the former Sharks star to lick his wounds, but in a few days time Gallen is hoping to rebound in a big way.
The 40-year-old knows for a fact he has experience on his side and it is an element of the fight that, according to Gallen, has Lussick quaking in his shoes.
“I think he’s s***ting himself,” Gallen said.
“He realises now he’s in for a fight.
“He knows it’s a good payday for him.
“He knows what is coming.”
Perhaps a big cheque at the end of the night may soften any potential blows suffered by Lussick, but it won’t stop an onslaught of punches from Gallen as soon as the bell sounds.
However, the one-time NRL premiership winner knows this is a fight he stands to gain very little from boxing fans.
“It is a lose-lose situation,” Gallen said.
“If I win, I was expected to win. If I lose, I will be ridiculed.
“I will be coming from the bell. I’ll be getting him early.”
Gallen no doubt would have preferred to touch up the face of Aloiai instead of Lussick, but he knows he will take what he can get on Wednesday night.
He even went as far as describing Lussick as a decent person, but it won’t stop Gallen from doing whatever it takes to secure a highlight reel finish.
“As a guy, you’re (Lussick) a good guy,” Gallen said.
“It’s nothing personal but I’ve got to smash you.
“It (the payday) is all you’re here for.
“He’s not going to be able to handle what’s coming.
“He’s in big trouble.
“I’m going to smash you.”