John Hopoate takes stunning swipe at 'coward' Paul Gallen

John Hopoate has taken aim at Paul Gallen, levelling a stunning claim at the NRL star.

Hopoate has labelled Gallen a ‘coward’ and reckons he’s purposely dodging a boxing bout against him.

Hopoate and Gallen were reportedly supposed to fight in November in Sydney, but the bout has been pushed back to February.

And Hopoate reckons Gallen is running scared.

“Gal’s a coward,” Hopoate told The Daily Telegraph.

“He talks up a big show, he accepted the fight and now they’re telling me he won’t sign the contract. Either sign the contract or retire from boxing.

“He knows what’s happening if he jumps in the ring with me, that he’s getting knocked out, and that’s why he’s running scared and won’t sign.”

But Gallen has put it down to the fact that he’s trying to focus on a pre-season with the Sharks.

“I’ve hardly done a boxing session in 12 months because I’m still playing rugby league,” he said.

“I’m preparing for 2019 which is my priority, and there are things I’ve still got to weigh up.”

Hopoate had a 12-5 professional boxing record before retiring in 2010, while Gallen is 8-0 in his pro career.

Gallen to take on ‘The Beast’ next?

Meanwhile, ex-NRL star Manu Vatuvei kick-started his boxing career with a monstrous debut performance against a hapless opponent.

The former Warriors winger showed natural talent and pure power to annihilate David Letele on the Joseph Parker v Alexander Flores undercard in Christchurch.

‘The Beast’ has now been linked to a fight with Gallen, who’s currently on the lookout for his next fight.

“That’s something I want to do but I need a lot more experience and a lot more fights to get to where he is,” Vatuvei said of Gallen.

“I’m not too sure, just got to play it by ear at the moment.”