Footy hard man Mitch Robinson reveals which VERY high-profile sports star helped him prepare for his boxing debut - and which heavyweight fighter decked him just days before the bout

AFL hard man Mitch Robinson has revealed that he was decked by a top Australian heavyweight while training for his debut boxing match at The Gathering on Wednesday night.

Robinson defeated former Richmond star Kayne Pettifer via decision in a boilover as he dominated his more experienced opponent, who was in his fourth professional fight.

The 34-year-old former Lions and Blues star looked every inch a boxer, showing the results of many hours of hard work and dedication in the gym - and his trademark aggression.

After the bout, Robinson revealed he'd been sparring with top Aussie heavyweight Joseph Goodall - and he'd been dropped by him very recently.

Robinson reposted a a message of congratulations from Goodall to his Instagram account, where he revealed the news.

'Dropped me in sparring 2 weeks ago, but I appreciated it,' he wrote.

'Big Bad' Goodall is one of the top heavyweights in the country, and if Robinson can continue to learn from him ,the former AFL star really will be a problem for any NRL stars who take him on.

Robinson indicated after the bout that he 'definitely' wants to fight again.

'I don't know who's in my weight division for the NRL, but AFL vs NRL, would make a good decision, I think,' he said.

'I know I'd love to take on those boys, I know they'd probably gas a little bit earlier than us but they can pack a punch.

'We'll see. We'll have a few beers. I haven't had a drink for eight weeks so I'm keen for a beer, for sure.'

Robinson also recently hired tennis star Nick Kyrgios as a personal trainer to help him get ready for the fight, and has come out and said many people have the wrong idea about the controversy magnet.

'Do not buy into the media hype around Nick Kyrgios,' he said on his YouTube channel.

'Bad boy, spoilt brat, waste of talent? I call bulls**t on all of that. 

'Misunderstood if anything, the bloke literally offered up a bedroom at his family home, said he'd pay for a hotel, shout dinner and we hadn't even met. Not to mention the hard work and training he does behind the scenes!'

Also on The Gathering fight card, controversial analyst Kane Cornes was beaten by ex-Tigers and Bulldogs star Nathan Brown in the pair's bout.

Cornes had the edge in terms of fitness, but Brown dominated with bigger shots throughout the contest. 

'The thing about Kane is he'll give it in the media, he takes it as well,' Brown said afterwards.

'He had me for fitness but my team over there ... four months training camp, I've really enjoyed it. 

'I wanted to pay the sport of boxing some respect, so hopefully I've done that tonight.'