Paul Gallen has hit Mark Hunt with a pre-fight uppercut, hitting back at the "stupid" former UFC star's latest inflammatory comment.
The undercard fight between Gallen and Hunt at Bankwest Stadium on December 16 grew in anticipation when the 'Super Samoan' yesterday called the NRL legend a "part-time fighter, full-time grub".
Shortly after his sparring session with Australian heavyweight Alex Leapai in Queensland today, Gallen struck back in the war of words.
"I couldn't care less. My kids are going to hear a whole lot worse than that. I'm not too fussed about it at all. My main concern is getting ready for the fight and beating Mark on the December 16. That'll sort out everything," Gallen told Wide World of Sports.
"In the whole build-up to this fight I keep seeing things that he's said that I've said and I haven't said any of it. He keeps saying things like I called him out five years ago and I've called him old and fat and slow. If you can find any of those quotes from me I'll be happy to cop it, but I don't know where this is all coming from.
"Yeah, well he is stupid. As I said, I don't know where all of this is coming from and he must be making it all up."
Hunt has only competed in two professional boxing fights for one loss and a draw, but he compiled a glowing resume in mixed martial arts over the course of 14 years.
He established a 13-14-1 record in the UFC and was crowned K-1 World Grand Prix champion in 2001.
"I had the utmost respect for Mark before this fight was floated and you saw in our press conference how much respect I had for him," Gallen said.
"I was talking about him and everything he did in the past.
"I don't know where all these comments are coming from, like the steroids stuff. It's just ridiculous stuff that's unfounded and untrue, and he should be careful about saying stuff like that."
Gallen was blunt when asked whether he still respected Hunt.
"My respect for him had already taken a hit before his latest comments (about being a part-time fighter and full-time grub)," Gallen said.
"We're big boys, so we've got to be in control of what we say and what we do, and he should have some facts behind him before he goes and runs his mouth. Our relationship isn't the same after all of this latest talk – whatever relationship there was and there wasn't really one anyway."
But Gallen, who is undefeated from 10 professional boxing fights, said beating Hunt would come with a huge sense of pride.
"It'd be one of the greatest individual achievements for myself," Gallen said.
"I don't want to keep giving him raps but he's a legend of combat sports in Australia – probably the biggest name in combat sports in Australia. So to go there and beat him, finish him, would be individually fantastic.
"It's not going to relate to what I've done in rugby league in a team sport, but it'd be pretty cool."
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