The simmering rivalry between NRL legend Paul Gallen and cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams continues with Gallen labelling Williams a ‘fraud’.
The former footballers are set to pocket more than a million dollars in a planned heavyweight boxing showdown in 2025, with current aims for the fight to be held in a Brisbane or Sydney stadium.
Gallen, 43, confirmed last month that he’s agreed to come out of retirement to fight the former All Black, revealing that talks between both parties have been going since January.
Gallen says despite being a few years older than his rival, he’ll still get the job done.
‘I just think he’s a fraud,’ Gallen told The Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Sonny Bill Williams has been a professional athlete his whole life, but look at the fights that he’s had, he hasn’t got a winning record unless it’s against blokes who are 45-plus.
The heated rivals are reportedly in advanced talks regarding the blockbuster bout
‘I’m 43. When you think about what he’s done, I don’t think it’s so great …
‘I just think it’s embarrassing for him that we’ve waited so long to get it done. He carried on on TV one night, telling me to sign some contract that never existed. That was in 2023, I think.
‘I’m glad it’s finally going to happen, hopefully. I always wondered ‘What if?’
‘I’m not the fighter I was three years ago, I know that, but I’ve still got enough to beat him and that’s all that matters.’
It was revealed last month that Gallen was pushing for eight three minute rounds – standard for pro boxing – while SBW would prefer 2.5 or 2 minute rounds.
Gallen ended up accepting Williams’ terms.
‘This has been organised since December, we basically agreed. Then they came back and said they want two-minute rounds.
‘I legitimately thought they were joking. They’re talking about Sonny Bill Williams, a professional athlete who considers himself a worldwide superstar, and he only wants two-minute rounds. That gave me a bit of confidence.
Gallen says he isn’t the fighter he once was, but he’ll still beat Williams
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Gallen says he isn’t the fighter he once was, but he’ll still beat Williams
‘Then I stopped to think about it and that’s a massive advantage to him, that’s enormous.
‘But I’ve just got to have a crack and see what happens.’
Williams last fought in 2022, suffering a shock knockout loss to MMA star Mark Hunt. Despite the setback, his athletic pedigree and star power make him a huge draw.
Gallen retired from the sport in 2022 after a win over Justin Hodges, but has always said he’d like to take on Williams.
The only two blemishes on Gallen’s pro record were in Australian heavyweight title bouts against Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski.
Past attempts to make the bout happen have fallen through over discussions about how the money will be split.
Speaking after his last fight in 2022, Gallen said he regretted that the fight with Williams never took place – and that one comment from Williams ruined their relationship forever.