Paul Gallen survives brutal Mark Hunt blows in unanimous points win
Paul Gallen has maintained his undefeated record as a boxer with a unanimous points win over Mark Hunt, after recovering from a monstrous early blow.
Both fighters landed heavy blows on each other, but Gallen walked away the winner after the three judges' scorecards read 58-56, 58-56 and 59-55 to Gallen.
"He hit me in round two and next second I was up, I'm so fit at the moment," Gallen said after the win.
Hunt attempted to set up a KO throughout the fight, and while he landed a few blows on the NRL great, he was unable to finish the job and was made to pay.
The 46-year-old was left to lament not finishing Gallen off in the second round when he had him staggered.
Gallen dodges a heavy blow from Mark Hunt Getty
"We both got knocked a couple of times," he said.
"I thought he wasn't going to make six but he got away with it and good on him."
Hunt began the first round on the offensive, unleashing a few heavy right hands at the NRL legend before Gallen was able to land some blows as the pair grappled.
The former Sharks skipper came into the bout with a pre-existing cut on his nose and it was opened up right away from Hunt, but he was able to avoid most of Hunt's lusty hooks.
However, Gallen was staggered in the second round after Hunt landed a powerful right hook, but the former UFC star did not go for the knockout, instead showboating to the crowd.
Gallen fought his way back in the third round, trapping Hunt in the neutral corner and landing a series of jabs and uppercuts from close range for the majority of the round.
Paul Gallen and Mark Hunt exchanged lusty blows throughout the heavyweight bout. Getty
Hunt looked to tire in the fourth round, breathing heavily to begin the round as the pair continued to exchange lusty blows, albeit to little effect.
The Samoan connected with another left hook to Gallen's head which left the NRL great wobbling, but Gallen was able to recover by once again trapping Hunt in the corner and managed to connect with some uppercuts of his own.
The intensity ramped up once again in the fifth round with both men taking massive shots. Gallen continued to do his best work in close combat, while Hunt managed to stagger, but not drop the Sharks legend with more heavy blows.
Gallen started the final round by connecting with a left hook, before finishing the round by getting Hunt in the corner before Hunt sent Gallen through the ropes right on the final bell.
