Late Lucas Browne drama sparks Paul Gallen fight uncertainty
A cloud of uncertainty has hit Lucas Browne on the eve of his blockbuster bout against Paul Gallen after it emerged the former heavyweight world champion couldn't fit into his gloves.
Both fighters continued their war of words during Tuesday's weigh-in, with the pair facing off for one last time before they lock horn in Wednesday night's bout in Wollongong.
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However, much of the discussion around the grudge match centred on a bizarre boxing glove issue for Browne.
The 117kg giant revealed that he's been unable to get his massive hands into the custom-made 10 ounce Everlast gloves that both fighters agreed to wear for the bout.
Browne is required to wear the gloves as per the contractual obligations for the fight.
The unfortunate scenario has reportedly left organisers scrambling to fit the 42-year-old with new gloves so he doesn't breach contract.
After tipping the scales more than 15 kilograms (117.8kg) heavier than Gallen (102.2kg), Browne brushed aside the uncertainty when asked about the issue.
“The first ones (gloves) I couldn’t even get on my hands – that’s without wraps or anything else! The second ones were very tight. This might be the start of my bare-knuckle career, you never know.”
The former WBA heavyweight champion didn't seem overly concerned though, insisting it was up to organisers to sort out the issue.
“That’s the promoter’s problem not mine. I’m ready to go.”
Browne labelled Gallen 'Peptide Paul' on Tuesday in reference to the scandal at the Cronulla Sharks while the former NSW captain was a player there.
While he admitted that the league legend's conditioning was impressive, Browne predicted that he was "just going to belt him" when asked how he saw the fight panning out.
Gallen said while a knockout of Browne would be incredible, the NRL great wasn't fussed about how he intended to get the job done.
“Points or stoppage, I don’t care,” Gallen said.
“He can do what he wants, say what he wants. But tomorrow night he’s going down.”
There hasn't been much love between the pair in the lead-up to the six-round fight and Monday's final press conference was no exception.
Gallen's repeated shots at Browne's legitimacy as a heavyweight champion sparked an angry response from the 'Dig Daddy'.
Browne snaps over Gallen's 'bulls**t'
"I’ve appreciated all of the childish bulls**t that has come out of his mouth,” Browne said on Monday.
“I realise it’s all for the build-up. I’ve done the videos of him singing and dancing and stuff, but it’s go time now.
“There’s no more bulls**t, there’s no more anything else. I’m going to punch him in the face until he goes down.
“I just think he’s a f**kwit. He’s an absolute dead-set donkey. Look at the head on him. He’s just got a head that you want to punch."
Browne was confident and said he would be willing for a second fight if Gallen was prepared after their bout on Wednesday.
His comments didn't sit well with Gallen.
The former NRL enforcer said his heart and determination would see him through the bout on Wednesday.
“He called himself ‘the GOAT’, he calls me ‘the footballer’, he’s got no respect for what I’ve done but that’s fine. But when I get in there on Wednesday night, it ends him, it ends him," he said.
“You’re such a soft c**k in real life. For a bloke who’s 6ft 5 and covered in tattoos you’re such a p***y. You’re relentless on social media, but you get here and s**t yourself. You’re going to s**t yourself on Wednesday night too.”
with agencies
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