Paul Gallen has urged Sonny Bill Williams to ramp up his promotional efforts ahead of their highly anticipated boxing match set for July. The fight will mark the conclusion of over ten years of rivalry between the two rugby league legends, culminating in an eight-round bout that will be broadcast on Stan. Both fighters are reportedly set to earn around $1 million each from the event.
Gallen, the 2016 Cronulla premiership-winning captain, expressed his frustration, stating that he has been shouldering the responsibility of generating public interest in the bout. Speaking on Nine’s Today in Brisbane, Gallen revealed that he is currently in basic training and plans to intensify his preparations soon. He emphasised, “I’m doing 100 per cent of the sales at the moment, and only getting 50 per cent of the money,” challenging Williams to “pull [his] finger out” and contribute more to promoting the fight.
Renowned for his self-promotion in Australian boxing, Gallen has reportedly made over $25 million thanks to his ability to attract large audiences. With a professional record of 15 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, Gallen has faced notable opponents, including Mark Hunt and former world heavyweight champion Lucas Browne, whom he knocked out in just one minute.
Williams holds an impressive record of nine wins from ten professional fights, his only defeat coming against Hunt in November 2022. Recently, Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia commented on the fight, criticising the agreement to conduct two-minute rounds instead of the traditional three. Gallen conceded that this was a compromise he made to ensure the fight happened, acknowledging Opetaia’s point and challenging Williams to hold himself accountable.
Gallen has expressed willingness to amend their agreement and proposed that their fight should consist of three-minute rounds, asserting, “Put some respect into our fight and let’s do three-minute rounds. I’m happy to change the contract.” He conveyed a sense of confidence, urging Williams to prove himself as the superior boxer he claims to be.
At 43, Gallen is four years older than Williams, who asserts that he would win if the match were to go the distance. Williams has stated, “I win because I’m a better boxer… the only way he can beat me is to knock me out, and I don’t think he has the power.” The rivalry between these two athletes promises to be a captivating encounter, with both fighters eager to establish dominance ahead of their long-awaited showdown.