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Latrell Mitchell is gambling his entire $6000 World Cup bonus on Justin Hodges to knock out Paul Gallen, and stands to collect $48,000 if the Queenslander pulls off the upset on Wednesday night.
A star of the Kangaroos’ rugby league World Cup win last weekend, Mitchell flew back to Sydney on Tuesday morning and went from the airport to Darling Harbour for the weigh-in between Gallen and Hodges.
After observing both men on stage, and having a lengthy discussion with Hodges at the back of the arena, Mitchell decided that instead of buying a cow for his farm in Taree, he’d lay a bet on Hodges to win by KO, which is paying $8 and stands to take care of all his Christmas expenses.
“I’m that confident I’m putting my World Cup bonus down for it, Hodgo to win by KO,” Mitchell told News Corp Australia.
“I was going to buy a cow for the farm, but I’ll put it on Hodgo and hopefully get a lot more money back.
“I’m throwing it straight on there, I reckon he’s a chance to show his hand and get in early with Gal.”
Like some others in boxing circles, Mitchell believes a string of ring wars has left Gallen vulnerable in what will be his final contest of a 22-year professional sporting career in the NRL and boxing.
“I think after the [Justis] Huni fight, you could see it getting to him,” Mitchell said.
“With Gal, you know he’ll always turn up and do his job, he showed that in his footy career and he’s shown that in his boxing career.
“Everybody has turned up to watch him get knocked out and he’s always proved everyone wrong, but I’ve got my money Hodges this time.
“He’s put in the work, he told me he’s fitter now than when he was playing rugby league, he’s trained harder than what he did playing rugby league. “You can see that he’s in a good headspace.” Hodges cut a lean figure on the scales, weighing a career low 103.04kg, slightly less than Gallen at 103.3kg for the six by two-and-a-half minute rounds at heavyweight.
Gallen, 41, himself admits he is not the fighter he was last year, but believes he still retains the skill to defeat Hodges, who he beat via technical knockout in September in a controversial finish that followed a win earlier that night against Ben Hannant. “I’m honestly determined to hurt him, I want to hurt him,” said Gallen, who knows Hodges is keen to end his career with defeat at Sydney’s Aware Super Theatre. “He’s motivated by it without a doubt, I’ve achieved so much in boxing, way more than he has,” Gallen said.
“I’m at the back end, I know that. Can he beat me at my worst? That’s where I’m at, I’m not good at the moment, I know that I’m not where I was 12, 18 months ago, I understand that.
“But can he beat me? He’s not a better boxer than me, no. “His only chance is to land that punch, and I’m backing myself that he can’t land it. And even if he does land it, I’m backing my chin to be strong enough to withstand it and get the job done.” Meanwhile, Mitchell hailed Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and the staff who meticulously planned their World Cup campaign in England, culminating in the 30-10 final victory against Samoa with the Rabbitohs star crossing for two tries. “I wasn’t travelling 24 hours around the world to come home with nothing,” Mitchell said. “The trophy sat next to me on the way back home. It is very special, memories that will last a lifetime.
