‘Rat, dog, idiot’: Gallen tees off at NRL giant in explosive presser
Updated . First published at
Paul Gallen has launched a stinging attack on Nelson Asofa-Solomona, as the two ex-NRL enforcers prepare for a heavyweight boxing showdown.
If the press conference was being judged, Gallen took a clear points decision as he labelled Asofa-Solomona with every insult and verbal takedown under the sun.
Paul Gallen at the boxing press conference. Fox League
The 45-year-old was goaded out of boxing retirement by the former Storm prop, who signed with promoters No Limit to fill the void left by Gallen’s.
Instead, there have been questions raised about Asofa-Solomona’s drawing power, which was something Gallen quickly pointed out.
During a fiery press conference on Wednesday, the former State of Origin captain delivered a brutal assessment of the big Kiwi’s boxing career to date, while also taking a swipe at promoter George Rose for backing Asofa-Solomona.
“He told me he hadn’t called me out and just answered questions, which is pretty stupid, he’s called me out after every single fight he’s had,” Gallen said.
“I spoke to Nelson a year ago and he knew how I was feeling about the sport, but he still wanted to call me out. Be careful what you wish for sometimes, because now he’s got it … a 45-year-old man is gonna smash this bloke.
“Then hopefully, you [Rose] can get off your knees for him. It’s been embarrassing the way you’ve been talking about him, saying he’s had three awesome fights … it’s embarrassing. I’ll get it done, finish him and then you don’t have to pay him anymore, because that’s the only reason you brought me back.
“You brought me back because he can’t do his job. You got him in the limelight to try and sell shows, but you can’t sell shit, so they get me out of retirement at 45.”
Asofa-Solomona carried a plush toy doll of Gallen to the presser and said he would “put him to sleep for the last time” when the pair meet on November 6.
The former New Zealand international started making jokes about his rival’s age and offered to help boost his “pension” with the pay day coming in the fight.
Gallen then laughed it off completely and questioned what Asofa-Solomona would get out of beating or losing to a fighter well past his prime.
“I called you a rat and a dog and you are, because when I tell you something to your face and you go and use it against me, that’s a shit go,” Gallen said.
“You’re the one fighting me. What’s gonna happen to you when I beat you? Where are you gonna go?
“PNG [Chiefs] wouldn’t pay you. I’ll talk to James Bracey for you, you might get a run at the Bears. You’re going nowhere brother.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona. No Limit Boxing
“[I’m out of retirement] because they paid me and you can’t do your job. You’re main event because I’m fighting you, you idiot. How stupid are you? You’re fighting a main event because I’m back. You’re nowhere near it mate.
“You’re fighting me, it’s the only way you would main event, you f---ing idiot ... you are so stupid that I almost feel sorry for you.”
Gallen also said he hopes to bring “eyeballs” to some of the younger Aussie boxers on the card including Callum Peters and Paulo Aukoso.
The card will take place on Friday, November 6 at Sydney’s TikTok Entertainment Centre and will be headlined by the retired football stars.
