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BJORN AGAIN
Hafthor Bjornsson hails his two-year transformation after Eddie Hall win and says ‘I could honestly fight 12 ROUNDS’
HAFTHOR BJORNSSON insists he's fit enough to fight 12-full rounds following his remarkable two-year body transformation.
The Game of Thrones star - who played The Mountain - was as heavy as 32 STONE during his strongman days.
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But he dramatically shrunk down in size while training to fight former world's strongest man rival Eddie Hall.
Bjornsson - nicknamed Thor - scaled 23 STONE before his exhibition in Dubai against Hall - billed 'the heaviest boxing match in history'.
And the years of hard work and sacrifice paid off after winning the gigantic grudge match on points.
Bjornsson told SunSport: “I trained my ass off, I was as ready as possible.
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"Just look at the transformation I made in that two-year period, I literally changed myself.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of athletes that have done that; being the best at something and then starting a new sport and becoming somewhat decent.
“I think I could honestly fight 12 rounds. I felt comfortable after six rounds, I was like, ‘OK, my gas tank is not nearly gone here’.
“The only reason I didn’t put more into those rounds were because I had to be careful of his bombs.
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“I was being super cautious as if he hit me right with one of those bombs correctly, it could've been game over."
Reign Total Body Fuel athlete Bjornsson, 33, started slow and even received a standing count as Hall, 34, raced to an early lead.
But Thor upped his output as the fight progressed to score two knockdowns of his own and put the result beyond any doubt.
Hall was a threat throughout with his heavy hands and unconventional style - which switched from southpaw to orthodox.
But Bjornsson, coached by Scotland's Billy Nelson, had all corners covered during their training camp.
I think I could honestly fight 12 rounds. I felt comfortable after six rounds
Hafthor Bjornsson
He said: “I honestly prepared for the unknown, because I didn’t know how he was going to come out.
“Basically, we were in camp training for the unknown so I actually had some sparring sessions with a southpaw guy just in case.
“And when sparring, I wanted my sparring partners to throw wild hooks because we were expecting that, and it came.
“He did throw the wild hooks but I expected him to have something else in his game plan as well.
“I think I took a lot out of him as well with my jab, every time he tried to get inside he would get jabbed and when that happens constantly, you get frustrated.
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“Honestly, I think that’s what happened. He was trying to get inside at some points but he just couldn’t.”
Bjornsson is now eyeing a summer boxing return while Hall has called for a rematch.
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