Paul Gallen fumes after Mark Hunt leaks 'steroid' text message

Paul Gallen has taken aim at upcoming boxing opponent Mark Hunt, after the latter leaked a text message exchange between the pair.

The former Cronulla Sharks captain is set to step into the ring against Hunt, a former UFC heavyweight, in Sydney on December 16.

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Gallen’s ire was drawn when Hunt messaged him after news broke of Gallen tearing his bicep in training, prompting the Kiwi fighter to ask if he was ‘taking steroids’ to recover from the injury.

An irritated Gallen shot down the suggesting in his reply to Hunt, saying ‘Mate I've never taken steroids’.

The 39-year-old gave an interview to the Sydney Morning Herald in the wake of Hunt leaking their conversation to the media, saying it was frustrating to have his name continually associated with the Sharks’ 2011 peptides scandal.

“I'm surprised and disappointed that Mark Hunt would reveal a personal conversation,” Gallen said.

“We've broken bread and sat down plenty of times and I don't think he should have gone there.

“Me and Mark have had some pretty in-depth conversations, he may have forgotten what some of those are about.

“It's frustrating that after 10 years I'm still the only one having to answer questions or be linked to this. No other player is and no other official even has a mark against their name.”

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Gallen fiercely defended himself in his reply to Hunt’s message about steroids, insisting blame for the NRL peptides scandal lay with the Cronulla Sharks, and that he had been unaware of what had been transpiring.

“What happened at Cronulla was the club's fault and wasn't steroids. I'm happy to be drug tested any time of day or night,” Gallen’s message read.

“NO I'm not cheating and I wouldn't do that my coach wouldn't train me if I was and I wouldn't risk my life after football with my media deals.

“I'm not sure who put that into your mind and disappoints me someone would say that.”

Hunt has been unapologetic in his pursuit to eliminate doping from combat sports since former WWE and UFC fighter Brock Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance after defeating the Auckland native in a 2016 UFC match.

The pair are still embroiled in a $2.5 million lawsuit over the result.

“He called me and said his arm popped. I’m thinking if it has torn off the bone, he’s going to be out for about a year. He called me a few days later and said the fight’s on again,” Hunt said.

“I thought how’s that true? You’ve got to have an operation, it’s nine months straight away.

“And I messaged him: are you taking steroids? Are you cheating? He messaged back and said no.

“It’s already in my contract. With the UFC, I’ve put a lawsuit forward because of that and the unfair advantage they get.”

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