DUBAI: The former strongmen squared off in the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium, with The Mountain emerging victorious after six rounds of unanimous decision. Hall was the stadium’s fan favourite, and he rocked his opponent early on while the crowd cheered him on before knocking him to the canvas.
However, Björnsson was able to bust open Hall’s face in the first round, and in the third, he knocked him down in what appeared to be a KO. He then knocked Hall out again in the sixth round, and the judges declared him the winner, via unanimous decision (57-54 scored by all three judges). Friends turned foes Hall, and Björnsson (a.k.a. ‘The Beast’ and ‘Thor,’ respectively) are both World’s Strongest Man winners, but they traded the barbells for boxing gloves for a fight billed as ‘the heaviest boxing match in history.’
Speaking ahead of the fight, Hall, 34, described his motivation as “100% hatred” and stated he wanted to get in the ring and break this f***er’s face.” That hatred stems from statements made by Björnsson in the aftermath of Hall’s World’s Strongest Man victory in 2017. Thor was tied for first place in the standings until a controversial ruling in the ‘Viking Press’ event docked him a rep, causing him to lose the overall competition.
Subsequent unpleasant exchanges between the two behemoths seemed to indicate that the friendship they once shared had vanished, replaced by mutual contempt. Hall was confident he’d win the fight and insisted it wasn’t about the money for him. “Money is not an incentive for me,” he said earlier this week.
“I’m already wealthy; I don’t give a f**k about money.” This is now about Thor and me – it’s personal.” Meanwhile, Thor predicted Hall’s rage would overcome him, and his boxing skills would triumph. In the run-up to the fight, he said, “I don’t like the guy, but I’m here to box and show the people my boxing skills, staying calm and relaxed.”
“He’ll come in angry as a bull and will most likely gas out in the first or second round because he’s so p***ed off.” The man is not able to control his emotions. He’s too preoccupied with the past. “He’s too angry; he’s like a 16-year-old boy; you can’t fight if you can’t control your emotions.” That man isn’t going to be able to fight me for six rounds. “I plan to box, demonstrate my skills and technique, and demonstrate to the public my ability in the boxing ring.”
“If he isn’t ready, I’ll knock him out soon.” He’ll come in like a maniac, throwing wild hooks – I have a more extended reach. “I’m going to catch him, and he’ll fall, and then we’ll hear some excuses.”
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