Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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ON WEDNESDAY night Josh McGuire intends to win the game, in December he plans to win the fight.
As NSW skipper Paul Gallen led his Blues team into Brisbane on Sunday night for his final Origin game in Queensland, there are plans afoot for a boxing bout between the veteran Cronulla forward and Maroons firebrand McGuire.
Talks are at an advanced stage and the pair could touch gloves as early as December with Duco Events eyeing off a bout between the front-rowers for their Fight for Life charity event in mid-December.
A Duco official met with Gallen’s manager David Riolo last month in Sydney to work out a potential fight and McGuire’s name was high on the list his ideal opponents.
It is Gallen, rather than McGuire, pushing for the bout.
Behind the scenes, the management of both stars are working on setting up a major fight night featuring the Origin bookends going at it as it would generate significant cash.
The snag would be that McGuire’s contract doesn’t allow for any boxing matches, which means he would need to be given clearance by his NRL club, Brisbane, to compete.
McGuire’s priority is football and he is also expected to be selected for the Four Nations campaign at year’s end which would cut into his off-season.
If the timing is right and the Broncos allow it, the bout will happen.
Gallen has a significant experience advantage over McGuire and is unbeaten in five fights.
McGuire would need to train heavily over the off-season to prepare for the bout as he only has one professional bout to his name, a win over Richard Tuala.
However, he has trained extensively with Fortitude Fight Club, the gym unbeaten prospect Jeff Horn trains out of.
“I couldn’t tell you anything about it,” McGuire said.
“Me and Gal had a laugh about it in Australian camp.
“I haven’t boxed since I snapped my achilles so he’d probably dust me right now.”
McGuire said he respected Gallen, who is in his last campaign for NSW.
“He will try to go out on top,” the Maroons prop said.
“I haven’t been lucky enough to play with Gal often. I played with him in the Test and he’s very professional and is a hard worker.
“He deserves every accolade he gets in the game.”
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
As NSW skipper Paul Gallen led his Blues team into Brisbane on Sunday night for his final Origin game in Queensland, there are plans afoot for a boxing bout between the veteran Cronulla forward and Maroons firebrand McGuire.
Talks are at an advanced stage and the pair could touch gloves as early as December with Duco Events eyeing off a bout between the front-rowers for their Fight for Life charity event in mid-December.
A Duco official met with Gallen’s manager David Riolo last month in Sydney to work out a potential fight and McGuire’s name was high on the list his ideal opponents.
It is Gallen, rather than McGuire, pushing for the bout.
Behind the scenes, the management of both stars are working on setting up a major fight night featuring the Origin bookends going at it as it would generate significant cash.
The snag would be that McGuire’s contract doesn’t allow for any boxing matches, which means he would need to be given clearance by his NRL club, Brisbane, to compete.
McGuire’s priority is football and he is also expected to be selected for the Four Nations campaign at year’s end which would cut into his off-season.
If the timing is right and the Broncos allow it, the bout will happen.
Gallen has a significant experience advantage over McGuire and is unbeaten in five fights.
McGuire would need to train heavily over the off-season to prepare for the bout as he only has one professional bout to his name, a win over Richard Tuala.
However, he has trained extensively with Fortitude Fight Club, the gym unbeaten prospect Jeff Horn trains out of.
“I couldn’t tell you anything about it,” McGuire said.
“Me and Gal had a laugh about it in Australian camp.
“I haven’t boxed since I snapped my achilles so he’d probably dust me right now.”
McGuire said he respected Gallen, who is in his last campaign for NSW.
“He will try to go out on top,” the Maroons prop said.
“I haven’t been lucky enough to play with Gal often. I played with him in the Test and he’s very professional and is a hard worker.
“He deserves every accolade he gets in the game.”
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
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