Stunning backflip on the cards as Paul Gallen, SBW enter talks for long overdue fight
A boxing bout between Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen is in the works after more than a decade of negotiations.
Gallen has agreed to come out of retirement for the bout against the former All Black, with over $1 million on the table for the two footy greats.
The former NSW captain confirmed to Wide World of Sports that talks have been ongoing since January with both parties committed to entering the ring.
READ MORE: 'Irresponsible' Knights clipped but Gus explains $14m 'gamble'
READ MORE: 'Wouldn't surprise': Slater tips mid-season Smith switch
READ MORE: 'Interesting' call facing Bennett as $700k dilemma laid bare
Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams in talks. Getty
At this point, the length of the rounds is in dispute and no deal has been officially agreed.
It's understood Gallen does not want to fight under three minutes while it's said Williams would prefer 2 and a half minute rounds.
Gallen initially wanted a 10-round fight, but has agreed to fight for eight rounds.
Both men have been linked to a fight for close to a decade but nothing has come to fruition.
The two league greats threw verbal jabs at each other during a panel discussion after the Parramatta-Warriors game in 2022, which continued off air in a heated discussion captured by cameras behind the scenes.
Williams last entered the ring in 2022 with a loss to former UFC star Mark Hunt. His record stands at 9-1.
Gallen has two losses on his record to Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski.
