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Gallen won't lay a hand on me, says Huni

3 minute read

Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni says he's planning to give rugby league great Paul Gallen a boxing lesson when they clash this month in Sydney.

Non-plussed about all the talk, Justis Huni is threatening to "school" Paul Gallen, tipping the rugby league great-turned-pugilist won't even lay a hand on him when the pair clash this month in Sydney.

A sponsorship row over what gloves the two combatants wear on June 16 threatens to derail the heavyweight blockbuster but Huni on Thursday told AAP he couldn't care less what mits he's told to use.

"I just leave that to my management but whatever gloves get put in front of me on June 16, I'll chuck them on and I'll jump in and fight in them," Huni said.

"It doesn't bother me, it doesn't change the outcome.

"I don't know whether I'll get the stoppage or if he goes the distance, but I'll get the win."

Both undefeated, Gallen and Huni will be fighting for the Australian heavyweight title as well as world rankings points.

But the belt holder and Tokyo Olympics gold-medal hopeful is vowing to give Gallen a boxing lesson.

"I'm just a much better boxer all round. I'm better IQ in the ring, I'm not getting touched - I'm going out there to school him," Huni said.

"Me at the top of my game, I won't be getting touched."

Gallen is yet to be stopped in a dozen professional fights, including victories over UFC legend Mark Hunt and one-time world heavyweight champion Lucas Browne.

Hence he was not too impressed to have been placed in the same "donkeys" category as Sonny Bill Williams and Barry Hall by Huni's trainer-father Rocky this week.

But Huni said that was his father's assessment and he respected Gallen, warning the former NSW State of Origin captain he was stepping into his world now.

"My dad, he calls them whatever he wants but me, look, I've got respect for all athletes in their chosen sports," the 22-year-old said.

"And also 'Gal' now as a boxer, he's proven himself. He's earnt his right to get where he's at. He's fought a lot of incredible guys and he's beaten all of them.

"But he's not on the same level that I'm on. It's a whole different playing field. It's my playing field."

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