The former NRL great has confirmed he will start as a heavyweight on the undercard of February's Paul Gallen-John Hopoate bout in Sydney on February 8.

The 36-year-old ex-Brisbane captain is yet to lock in a challenger but believed he had already claimed an important victory after convincing his wife Gyanne he could make the switch.

"The hardest part of it was asking my wife to do it," he said.

"I was mindful of her saying yes because I have got two young kids and it is a brutal sport.

"They are the main reason why I have taken great consideration into starting this."

Mind you, his wife took some convincing.

"She sure did but I can understand that," Hodges said.

"I respect my wife's decision but I kept asking. Even when we went to dinner I would casually throw it in there.

"But eventually she realised it was something I always wanted to do.

"I didn't want to get into my 40s and think 'maybe I could have done it' - I don't want to live my life with maybe."

Hodges did not rule out a future bout with his old State of Origin sparring partner Gallen.

But the veteran of 251 NRL games, 24 Origins and 13 Tests did not want to forge a boxing career against footballers, saying he would take his new sport seriously.

"We will see what happens. Gal has had nine or 10 fights, you have to give him the respect that he deserves," Hodges said.

"I'm not going to call him out after my first or second fight.

"I am doing baby steps at the moment and I don't want to disrespect the sport.

"I don't just want to fight football players, that's not the way I want to head."

Hodges said the "dream" would be to step onto Suncorp Stadium again on an undercard for former world champion Jeff Horn.

"I am not sure where the sport will take me," he said.

"But that is the dream, to step out there (Suncorp Stadium) as an athlete again.

"Why not? You want to step on the big stage and test ourself."

Hodges has been training on and off with former national amateur coach Gareth Williams since 2006.

"He's got great natural ability. It's a massive step for Hodgo but it can only be a good thing for the sport," Williams said.

Australian Associated Press