The proverbial red flag was waved, and the bull charged – Paul Gallen has verbally accepted Justin Hodges’ fight challenge.
Hodges threw down the gauntlet after his victory against Ben Hannant on Wednesday night. Gallen accepted the offer when speaking on Wide World of Sports 4BC radio in Brisbane on Thursday afternoon.
The result of the third State of Origin match will determine the host.
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“(Do) Queenslanders want to see me knock out the dirty cockroach (Gallen)?” Hodges said after his win over Hannant.
“I know Gal’s got heaps more experience than me but I’ll jump in and have a go, I don’t give a shit.”
Speaking on 4BC in Brisbane, Hodges reiterated the challenge, but said a bout against Gallen – should it go ahead – would be his last.
“If he wants to fight then I’m definitely keen to get it on,” Hodges said.
“That’ll be my last fight. I think I’ve had enough – the body’s had enough after playing league all these years. But I’ve always wanted to test myself against the best, and after winning my last couple of fights, I’ve earned the right to face him.”
Hodges had earlier admitted he felt “a little bit sore and battered” and that his neck felt like “it’s been run over by a cement truck”.
Having initially posed as a random caller later in the interview, Gallen said his social media inboxes had “gone berserk” after the call-out.
“I’ve had a few fights and I’ve never had this much attention, particularly on social media,” he said.
“The amount of people that want me to fight Hodgo – it’s been quite amazing. I’m talking hundreds and hundreds of private messages.
“I’ve got to say … it’s 50-50 – half of the people want to see me knock him out, the other half want to see me get knocked out.
“If Queensland win, I’ll go up there to two-head city.
“But you’ll end up coming here.”
The Blues and Maroons have a series decider in Brisbane on July 13, which will double as confirmation of the location of the bout between Gallen and Hodges.
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