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<\/p>\nIssac Hardman says Joel Camilleri will be robbed of his greatest asset in their IBC welterweight title fight, declaring: \u201cWe\u2019re not boxing here, we\u2019re brawling \u2026 and that\u2019s what I\u2019m f***ing good at.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement comes as Hardman has also tipped UFC slugger Tai Tuivasa to become the sport\u2019s new heavyweight king in 2027, and suggested purses for even undercard fighters will eventually balloon to a $20,000 minimum.<\/p>\n
Camilleri, meanwhile, has also declared himself ready to switch between brawling and boxing should he win IBC gold on the Gold Coast tonight \u2013 with the world ranked middleweight turning around quickly to face undefeated prospect Mitch Leek in December.<\/p>\n
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IBC 05: Hardman v Camilleri | Wednesday September 23 from 7pm AEST | The World\u2019s fastest growing combat sport returns with a showdown for the ages, as Isaac Hardman takes on veteran boxer Joel Camilleri in the Gold Coast. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n Elsewhere, the boxer who squared off against Tim Tszyu in 2019 \u2013 and also later managed the family\u2019s famed Rockdale gym \u2013 has given his prediction for a proposed showdown between \u2018The Phoenix\u2019 and WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara.<\/p>\n After six years of bad blood, Hardman and Camilleri are finally set to square off in tonight\u2019s IBC showcase on the Gold Coast, which will be shown live on Kayo Sports and Main Event Australia.<\/p>\n IBC preview: Hardman vs CamilleriSource: Supplied<\/p>\n A longtime favourite of the domestic boxing scene, Hardman has spent the past year announcing himself as the new face of \u2018brawling\u2019 \u2013 and is already the reigning IBC middleweight champ.<\/p>\n And now tonight, the fighter dubbed \u2018Headsplitter\u2019 is looking to become a two-division champion when he throws down against Camilleri, who is currently world ranked in the WBA middleweight division.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019re not boxing here, we\u2019re brawling,\u201d Hardman told Fox Sports Australia this week. \u201cAnd that\u2019s what I\u2019m f***ing good at.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, he [Camilleri] is still ranked, and good luck to him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s also trying to call out Australian boxing\u2019s biggest names, but nobody wants to fight him because he is such a tough fight.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s awkward, has all that herky jerky movement, so credit where it\u2019s due.<\/p>\n \u201cBut with our smaller cage, he can\u2019t use his greatest asset which is his footwork.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nowhere to hide fighting here.\u201d<\/p>\n Hardman did say, however, he would have to be wary of Camilleri\u2019s power in the smaller IBC gloves.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause with the four ounce gloves, yeah, he could drop the sugar from the shelf,\u201d the popular Queenslander grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the boxing ring, he can\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cBut with the four ounce gloves? Now this becomes a 50\/50 fight. A flip of the coin.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s why it\u2019s such an exciting one.<\/p>\n \u201cThis sport definitely isn\u2019t boxing and our fight will prove that.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n \u2018GRABBED HIM BY THE THROAT\u2019: Inside long-running Aussie boxing feud … and the $5k insult that sparked it<\/a><\/p>\n Issac Hardman vs Joel CamilleriSource: Supplied<\/p>\n