Rugby league great Paul Gallen is talking a big game ahead of his boxing clash with Kiwi combat sports pioneer Mark Hunt.
Gallen is promising to send the 'Super Samoan' into permanent retirement on Wednesday night, when the two meet inside the squared circle in a featured bout on the Tim Tszyu v Bowyn Morgan card.
While Hunt branded the former Cronulla Sharks skipper a "part-time fighter", Gallen accused Hunt of making excuses ahead of potentially the most embarrassing loss of his more than 20-year career.
"Making excuses already - you haven't fought for three years, haven't boxed for 20 years," Gallen said.
"I've got no excuses. I'm going to step into the ring, I'm prepared. You're just setting those little traps in case you get beat.
"I'll win comfortably."
Hunt's stint with the UFC ended on a poor run of results. The former interim heavyweight title challenger lost his last three fights inside the Octagon and four of his last five.
But his resume is decorated, including winning the 2001 K1 World Grand Prix, while he has also shared the ring and cage with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Fedor Emelianenko, Fabricio Werdum, Junior dos Santos and UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
But Gallen isn't impressed and is promising to permanently end the career of Hunt at Bankwest Stadium.
"It's a huge challenge for myself. A huge step up. I understand that.
"But I'm ready for it. I'm ready to take whatever Mark's got and give back even more.
"He should have stayed in retirement. He won't come out of it after this."
Hunt scolded Gallen for his comments, claiming the 39-year-old is out of his depth.
In nine professional fights, Gallen is undefeated, but a majority of his victories have come against former sports stars such as John Hopoate and AFL great Barry Hall.
Hunt is a different proposition having fought 74 times as a professional.
"This is fighting. I don't know where he gets his ideas. He's talking shit again," Hunt said.
"I'll put your arse to sleep, that's what's going to happen. This is not footy.
"I'm going to fix you, man. I'm going to fix you good.
"This is the next level. I haven't even boxed for 20 years and I'm still going to clean him up."
Gallen fired back, calling Hunt "boy" and reminding the 46-year-old who he needs to thank for a return to the ring.
"You should be thanking me, boy. I had two or three other options. I chose you. I Chose you. You had no other options," Gallen said.
"What else are you going to do? Who else are you going to fight?
"Everyone wants me to sit here and say I'm going to knock him out. I don't care. I just want to win the fight - do what I've trained to do and win the fight."
