HATHFOR BJORNSSON will throw down with Brit Simon Vallily following Alex Simon’s withdrawal from their heavyweight tussle.
Bjornsson, 32, was due to trade leather with Simon next month before a torn bicep ruled his fellow strongman out of the bout.
But Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vallily has stepped up to ensure the Game of Thrones star will take to the ring in May.
The pair’s titanic tussle will take place at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on May 28.
A delighted Bjornsson wrote on Facebook: “After Alex Simon’s unfortunate injury, I still wanted to get the experience in.
“Thankfully, Simon Vallily, the heavyweight pro boxer with a 17-3-1 record stepped up and agreed to step into the ring with me in Dubai.”
Bjornsson’s exhibition with the Middlesbrough mauler, who was stopped by heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley last August, will serve as further preparation for his grudge match with Eddie Hall.
The Mountain is due to throw down with the former World’s Strongest Man this coming September in Las Vegas.
But a date for their clash, which has been dubbed ‘The Heaviest Boxing Match in History’, has not been finalised.
Bjornsson and Hall used to be on good terms until the former accused the latter of cheating during the Viking Press portion of the 2017 World’s Strongest Man competition.
Hall felt stabbed in the back, recently saying: “This is what people don’t sort of get.
“We used to be good friends. He’s been round my house and we’ve had parties. We’ve travelled around the world together.
“But what happened at World’s Strongest Man 2017 just threw all that friendship out the window.
“It was a big dagger in the back.
“That’s irreparable, three or four years with a cloud over my World’s Strongest Man win.
“What’s that cost me in terms of my career? He just doesn’t care. I still haven’t had an apology from him, he’s not denying it.
“He keeps saying he was robbed, hard done to. At the end of the day, if he’s got solid evidence bring it up. He’s full of c***.
“Thor is not my friend. He was and I can safely say, even with an apology, I don’t want to break bread with this man.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
