Paul Gallen 'shocked' as Mark Hunt spectacularly 'loses his cool'

The time for trash-talking appears to be over for Mark Hunt after a chaotic weigh-in with Paul Gallen on Tuesday.

The UFC legend and the NRL great are set to go toe-to-toe in a highly anticipated undercard bout in Sydney on Wednesday night, before undefeated Aussie Tim Tszyu (16-0, 12 KOs) puts his IBF Australasian and WBO Global light-middleweight titles on the line against Kiwi Bowyn Morgan (21-1, 11 KOs).

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Hunt and Gallen have been trading barbs ahead of their fight but things took a more violent turn during Tuesday's weigh-in.

After tipping the scales at a tick over 127kg - some 24 kilos heavier than Gallen - Hunt decided to get in on the fighting action a little early.

The 46-year-old UFC icon had to be held back by his team as he tried to take several swings at Gallen up on stage.

Whatever the NRL great was doing to rile up his opponent worked as Hunt then broke free from the clutches of his team and threw a wild left hook at Gallen.

The promotional signage behind the fighters could be seen shaking as Hunt lunged forward to try and get his shot on Gallen.

It's unclear how much, if at all, the Super Samoan connected with Gallen after throwing his big haymaker.

While plenty of viewers found the chaotic scenes entertaining, many other brushed it off as merely a publicity stunt.

"Five years this has been in the making. He’s been talking a whole lot of garbage, and now we’re here. It’s showtime for this guy, let’s see if he can cut it," Hunt said.

"(His talk) increases my fire to put him to sleep."

Gallen (9-0-1, 5 KOs) said he was "shocked" by Hunt's outburst but vowed to leave his fighting for the ring on Wednesday night.

Gallen stunned by Hunt reaction

"That’s a bit shocking," Gallen said about Hunt's wild attempted punch.

“He’s trying to intimidate me - we said from day one we’d be professionals, it’d be a respectful build-up, but that shocked me a little bit.

“As I’ve said from day one, I don’t need any motivation ... I’m just here to get the win, go home to the family and have some fun for Christmas.”

The weigh-in fracas continued an ugly war of words between the pair that ramped up a notch this week.

Hunt branded Gallen a "part-time fighter", while the rugby league great accused the so-called Super Samoan of making excuses for himself for when he loses.

"Making excuses already - you haven't fought for three years, haven't boxed for 20 years," Gallen said.

"I've got no excuses. I'm going to step into the ring, I'm prepared. You're just setting those little traps in case you get beat.

"I'll win comfortably."

Despite the trash talk, Gallen, unbeaten in 11 fights, does have immense respect for Hunt.

"He's the biggest name in Australian combat sports, probably for the last 20 years," said Cronulla's 2016 NRL premiership-winning captain and former NSW State of Origin skipper.

"It's a huge challenge for myself. A huge step up. I understand that.

"But I'm ready for it. I'm ready to take whatever Mark's got and give back even more.

"He should have stayed in retirement. He won't come out of it after this."

Hunt said the 39-year-old was out of his depth.

"This is fighting. I don't know where he gets his ideas. He's talking shit again," Hunt said.

"I'll put your arse to sleep, that's what's going to happen. This is not footy.

"This is the next level. I haven't even boxed for 20 years and I'm still going to clean him up."

with AAP

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