After weeks of a tension and sass, things finally popped off today when Paul Gallen and John Hopoate came face-to-face for weigh in ahead of their charity heavyweight boxing bout at Hordern Pavilion.
The world has been watching the pair interacting on social media and in the press in the lead up to Friday night’s showdown, but it all came to a head at weigh in today.
With a crowd of media watching them, the stage was set for fireworks ahead of what is already an unconventional heavyweight bout between a 14-year-retired NRL icon and a young buck, Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen.
While Gallen v Hopoate live on Main Event and every pub around the country on the 8th of February at 7pm, it was today’s weigh-in that hosted some of the more earnest emotions.
Shirtless and nose to nose, the two not-so-gentle giants shared smiles – while bashfully fidgeting in an effort to avoid direct eye contact.
While the cameras snapped photos of them, Gallen gently placed his hand around the Tongan spartan’s famously large jar.
“I wish I could quit you” he whispers, in some what of a frustrated farewell.
Gallen’s brutal honesty seemed to spark an array of emotions from both Hoppa and himself, with both men opting to stunt all emotions and resort to violence.
It is not confirmed as to whether or not Hoppa has blocked Paul on Instagram yet, but things are pretty messy between the two former friends.
