Former UFC champion Mark Hunt says Paul Gallen won't go the full six rounds when the pair step into the ring in a fortnight at Bankwest Stadium, labelling the ex-Cronulla and NSW Blues captain "a part-time fighter, full-time grub".
For the best part of the last 10 months, Hunt 46, has been training out of the Steel City gym in Newcastle with Richie and Rob Fogarty in preparation for the much-anticipated showdown with Gallen on the undercard to the Tim Tszyu-Bowyn Morgan main event.
Typically, in the build-up to the fight, there is no love lost between the pair.
Asked his opinion of Gallen after completing a tough session in preparation yesterday, Hunt could not resist having a crack: "He's had a lot more boxing bouts than I have so I can't take that from him.
"He does say he is a part-time fighter - part-time fighter, full-time grub. Gal's said some things about me and it is what it is. It's a bit silly knocking me for fighting for the money because that's what a prize-fighter does. I mean I fight for my family because I love my family.
"A lot of us go to work every single day and we don't want to do it but we've got to do it so I don't think it's a plus for that guy to knock anyone who gets up to go to a job. This is an honest job that I have and that's why I think he's a grub."
Hunt also questioned Gallen's ability to handle pain.
"I wonder if he can get hurt and continue to fight?" he said. "I know that I can. I've done it plenty of times. In the the boxing game, the pace is slower and I reckon if he can handle being hurt and continue, than he's got a shot.
"But he won't make the six [rounds]."
Hunt, says the good rapport he enjoys with the Fogarty brothers is the reason he has based himself in Newcastle.
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