A blockbuster bout between former NRL legends Justin Hodges and Paul Gallen is on the cards if the ex-Bronco can beat podcaster-turned-boxer Jordan Simi in Sydney on July 20.
Simi is Australia’s answer to YouTube sensation Jake Paul, and the former lower-grade rugby league player is the only thing that stands in the way of a potential $100,000 fight for Hodges and old Origin foe Paul Gallen.
Boxing promotors No Limit confirmed that Hodges will take on Simi on the undercard of the Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Horn fight at Hordern Pavilion next Wednesday.
It’s on the back of Hodges beating his former teammate Ben Hannant in an underwhelming fight on June 29, after which he vowed to ‘knock out the dirty cockroach (Gallen)’.
Paul Gallen (left) and Justin Hodges (right) were long-time foes for NSW and Queensland
Jordan Simi (right) with former NRL star turned TV presenter Beau Ryan
Hodges is aware his unanimous decision win over Hannant wasn’t entirely impressive, but he was bullish on the prospect of taking on Simi.
‘I got the win against Ben (Hannant) but if I’m honest, I was as disappointed as everyone else that he was still standing at the end … Jordan Simi won’t be as lucky,’ he said.
‘I didn’t think my next fight would be this quick but if a knockout of this YouTuber (Simi) secures me a payday with ‘Gal’ later this year, then bring it on.’
Justin Hodges (right) during his lacklustre fight with former teammate Ben Hannant (left)
Hodges said he was hoping the podcaster would be taking the fight seriously – and not doing it for a mere publicity play.
‘This is a serious fight and I plan on doing serious damage to him. I hope he’s taking it seriously and not trying to pretend to be some Jake Paul wannabe chasing followers on his YouTube channel,’ he said.
‘This isn’t social media, this is the fight game and he is going to get hurt.’
Simi, 28, hosts the ‘Grouse and a few reds’ podcast, and has a burgeoning social media following, and is often seen with current NRL players, who also appear on his podcast frequently.
Jordan Simi with his girlfriend, Instagram model Sammy Robinson
Jordan Simi (right) will be making his boxing debut next Wednesday against Hodges
It will be his first fight in the ring, and he will be up against it to defeat the dogged Hodges, who has now had five bouts for four wins and one loss, to fellow NRL player Darcy Lussick.
Hodges played 254 NRL games to go with 24 Origin matches for Queensland and 13 Tests in the green and gold.
Justin Hodges and Paul Gallen (right) go toe-to-toe in a 2012 State of Origin game
While it would be a huge payday for Hodges if he can secure a bout with Gallen, who is now a legitimate prizefighter, securing 12 wins in a 15-fight career.
After 348 games for Cronulla and over 50 representative matches, the former NSW captain held his own with heavyweight superstar Justis Huni after impressive wins over former UFC star Mark Hunt and ex-heavyweight champ Lucas Browne.
Paul Gallen throws a punch in his heavyweight title loss against Kris Terzievski
For his part, Gallen doesn’t appeared to be too fazed by a fight with Hodges.
‘He is the one calling me out, so I say to ‘Hodgo’ … Be careful what you wish for … I have no doubt I will win,’ he said.
‘I’m done with fighting professionals like Justis Huni or Terzievski. I’m in a good place in life, I have my kids and I want to start looking after myself.
‘I will fight against footy players. I have nothing to prove to myself or anyone else anymore (but) I might have some entertainment-style fights,’ said Gallen.
Nikita Tszyu (left) and Ben Horn (right) at a press conference to announce their July 20 bout
The main event on the card will be a rematch between Nikita Tszyu and Ben Horn, the younger brothers of Aussie boxing legends Tim and Jeff.
Tim and Jeff famously went head-to-head in a mouthwatering match-up in 2020, which the former won in a technical knockout ahead of the ninth round.
Tszyu’s two-fight boxing career has seen him secure wins in both games in absolutely brutal fashion, and the tough Horn will ensure the fight will be a much more even contest.
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