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7 months ago
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AFL legend Dane Swan has revealed that he almost derailed his boxing training completely with his 40th birthday celebrations in the USA and Mexico last month.
The Collingwood great is swapping his footy boots for boxing gloves as he steps into the ring against ex-AFL star Dale Thomas at The Gathering Fight Night in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
Swan's in excellent fighting shape for the bout, but says his recent blowout birthday party nearly sent things sideways.
'My 40th birthday really interrupted it [training], when I went away for a month,' Swan told Daily Mail Australia.
The Gathering is a live and exclusive Pay-Per-View, only on Stan. Go to www.stan.com.au/ppv for more info.
Dane Swan (left) is preparing for his debut boxing bout with former AFL star Dale Thomas (right; Aussie former world champion Danny Green, centre)
Swan says his recent 40th birthday party in Las Vegas (pictured) was so long and intense it almost derailed his training for his ring debut
'But I've done enough (training) work in my life. I'm not a full-time boxer, I've had to juggle it around my lifestyle and three young kids, but I've done the work.
'I can do four rounds comfortably, its just how many times I get hit. But I'm ready to go.'
The Brownlow Medal winner invited a group of friends to Las Vegas and afterwards a few more joined to continue the celebrations in Cabo, Mexico.
Swan said the partying almost 'killed' him, but he's been training hard since he got back and hasn't touched a drop of alcohol.
'I lost five kilograms in Vegas... I played at 95, I'm at 88-89 now. I'm as lean as I've been since I got out of the jungle [after starring on 'I'm A Celebrity...].
'I'm ready to go.'
One thing Swan will have in his favour when he steps through the ropes is that he's no stranger to boxing training.
'I've always boxed,' he explained.
'It's one discipline I've always enjoyed. I hate running, I haven't lifted a weight since I was forced to while playing AFL, and swimming bores me.
Swan says he lost five kilograms while partying hard during his wild 40th birthday celebrations in Las Vegas last month (pictured)
Swan says he's as lean and fit as he's been in years and is looking forward to punching on with his fellow footy great Dale Thomas (pictured together with Danny Green)
Boxers and AFL stars will be throwing down this Wednesday night on The Gathering Fight Night card in Adelaide (pictured, fighters at a Gathering press conference on Monday)
'Boxing is the one sport I really enjoy. It's fast and high intensity. I like it.
'I was meant to fight a couple of years ago but that fell through. I got asked to do this, so it's time to put your money where your mouth is.'
Swan says his game plan is to put his full knowledge of 'the sweet science' to the test this week against Thomas, rather than come out throwing haymakers.
'I don't want to go in there angry. I played footy and I enjoyed it, played with a smile on my face, Swan said.
'Obviously being punched in the face will be something different, but I want to enjoy it and show my coaches that I listened - and that I half-know what I'm doing.'
And how does he plan on celebrating once it's all over?
'A million beers. I can't wait. I'm hanging,' Swan laughed.
Full card for the Gathering Fight Night
Main Event - Jamal Herring (24-4-0) vs. Jackson England (15-3-0) [Super Featherweight] (WBO Global Super Featherweight title)
Mitch Robinson (debut) vs. Kayne Pettifer (debut) [Cruiserweight]
Jack Brubaker (17-5-2) vs. In Duck Seo (15-3-2) [Super Welterweight]
Kane Cornes (debut) vs. Nathan Brown (debut) [Cruiserweight]
Joel Camilleri (27-8-1) vs. Joel Pavlides (5-2-1) [Middleweight]
Dane Swan (debut) vs. Dale Thomas (debut) [Heavyweight]
Alex Leapal Jnr (debut) vs. Joe Ageli (2-1-0) [Heavyweight]
Anthony Rocca (debut) vs. Corey McKernan (debut) [Heavyweight]
Sergei Vorobev (20-2-0) vs. Wes Capper (22-5-1) [Heavyweight]
English (US)