The former NRL bad boy's pulling power is about to be put to the test at Canberra's AIS Stadium for tomorrow's rematch with Bob Mirovic to be screened live on Channel Ten One HD.

Hopoate, 33, snatched the Australian heavyweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Mirovic, 43, last September.

Both fighters emerged from the battle bloodied and broken Hopoate with a busted hand and shoulder while Mirovic sustained a broken arm.

Mirovic blamed the injury on Hopoate's dirty tactics and the Australian National Boxing Federation ordered a rematch much to the delight of fight fans.

The pair have traded insults in the lead-up to the grudge match with Mirovic labelling Hopoate a ''low life''.

The former Australian rugby league representative hit back yesterday, claiming Mirovic was too old and was using the Hopoate name to gain media attention.

''I'm 10 times better than the last time I fought him and I don't think he's got any better, he's going backwards, he's getting too old, he should be finished,'' Hopoate said.

More in today's Canberra Times