- One of Australian sport’s most anticipated boxing matches is back on
- Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams are currently in advanced talks
After more than a decade of anticipation, heated exchanges and stalled negotiations, a showdown between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams is now closer than ever before.
NRL legend Paul Gallen and cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams are set to pocket more than a million dollars in the heavyweight showdown planned for 2025, with current aims for the fight to be held in a Brisbane or Sydney stadium.
Gallen has confirmed that he’s agreed to come out of retirement to fight the former All Black, telling Wide World of Sports that talks between both parties have been going since January.
A source close to Gallen’s camp told News Corp that the sticking point right now is the length of the rounds, with Gallen pushing for eight three minute rounds – standard for pro boxing – while SBW would prefer 2.5 minute rounds.
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.
A heavyweight showdown between Paul Gallen (pictured) and Sonny Bill Williams is now closer than ever before
The heated rivals are reportedly in advanced talks regarding the blockbuster bout
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.
‘We never had much beef along the way, I’ve just always said he was scared to fight me,’ said Gallen.
‘He called me out saying [he wanted] a 60-40 contract, but we never had beef.
‘And then he came out a couple of months ago and said “He’s just not a good person”.
‘That was the end of it for me. Who the f**** is he to judge me as a person? That was the worst thing.
Gallen has confirmed that he’s agreed to come out of retirement to fight the former All Black
Williams (pictured with boxing stars Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker) hasn’t fought since 2022
‘That was the end of it. I came out, said what I thought about him and there’s no relationship there. I don’t want there to be, I don’t care.’
Williams v Gallen is no longer just a pub debate – it’s a genuine possibility and 2025 could deliver the contest fans have been waiting for.
