Gallen's classy act of sportsmanship after Hopoate KO
Paul Gallen proved there’s no bad blood between himself and John Hopoate with a classy gesture for his defeated opponent after their heavyweight bout.
Gallen won the fight convincingly with a second round knockout on Friday night.
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Despite the trash talk between the pair leading up to the bout, however, the NRL star revealed the respect both men had for one another afterwards.
A post shared by Paul Gallen (@paulgallen13) on Feb 8, 2019 at 12:02pm PST
Gallen shared an image of the two combatants on social media, where he paid tribute to Hopoate as a man and an athlete.
Hopoate was equally as respectful to the man who had just given him a ruthless beat down, seeking out Gallen after the fight to congratulate him on the win.
Nice touch from John Hopoate, came into Paul Gallen’s dressing room just now, congratulated him and told him he respects him and wishes him well. Gallen equally respectful and gracious pic.twitter.com/mQMivx4dh7
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) February 8, 2019
Gallen vowed to give the fight game away if he lost to Hopoate in their charity bout in Sydney on Friday, but will punch on after flattening the 45-year-old.
Hopoate had pledged to “retire Gal from boxing and the NRL” during the pre-match banter but soon had to weigh up his own future inside a packed Horden Pavilion.
“I got caught by a good punch and I can’t hide from that, I went to sleep and fell over,” he admitted.
Gallen dominated from the opening bell, with a succession of jabs setting the tone for a one-sided heavyweight contest.
Hopoate, in the ring for the first time in nine years, sought to grapple and frustrate Gallen, but when the Sharks veteran found openings he sensed blood.
Gallen had Hopoate on the ropes, and in strife, late in the opening round and although the bell prevented further punishment it was only a short reprieve.
Hopoate headed to the canvas early in the second, the stoppage coming quicker than Gallen anticipated.
“I didn’t think it would finish so early, he’s a tough guy when we’ve sparred before,” Gallen said.
“I could feel Hoppa’s power but I just kept jabbing him to his body and I knew that was slowing him down.
“When I knew I had him gone I half looked at the ref to stop it.
“The last couple of weeks have got personal but I’m happy to shake hands with him and make up.
“I feel like I’m getting better, but I’m looking forward to getting back to footy.”
With AAP
