Rugby league stars Paul Gallen and John Hopoate have gotten their fight started early after clashing at their heated weigh-in before tonight's charity boxing bout.
The pair came face-to-face yesterday after a week of verbal sparring on social media and they didn't let up ahead of tonight's heavily-anticipated bout.
Tensions boiled over and the pair were forced to separate after Sharks captain Gallen wrapped a hand around Hopoate's throat, prompting a response from the former Manly bad boy.
Besides the fireworks, Hopoate, 45, weighed in at 112kg, more than 10kgs heavier than 37-year-old Gallen who tipped the scales at 101.5kgs.
Gallen enters tonight's fight in Sydney with an 8-0 record while Hopoate is 12-5. Gallen has won four fights via knockout while Hopoate has ended fights early 11 times.
Gallen said if he loses the fight, he will retire from professional boxing. The pair have also both bet $50,000 from their purses on who will win.
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