‘You brought up my wife’: Fuming Gallen’s foul-mouthed tirade
A No Limit press conference has escalated rapidly after main-card fighters Paul Gallen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona clashed on Wednesday, with Gallen threatening the ex-Storm enforcer for referencing his wife.
Outside, on the steps of the TikTok Entertainment Centre ahead of Friday’s bout, the two heavyweights headlined a fiery press conference, trading vicious barbs before the broadcast had even begun.
Gallen and NAS trade barbs. Fox Sports
The war of words reached fever pitch when NRL legend Gallen addressed Asofa-Solomona’s previous comments regarding his wife, declaring that athletes should never cross the line by dragging families into pre-fight trash talk.
“I only talk fact, I never make anything up,” said Gallen.
“In boxing, it’s part of the game mate. Get used to it. You think you’ll be around, you’re f---ing shit anyway, you’re going nowhere.
“You know what else he’s done, the rat, the dog - he brought up my wife. One thing people don’t do, one thing blokes don’t do in professional sports is bring up families. You brought up my wife.
“And if I see you Friday night, I’m gonna kick your head off your f---ing shoulders.”
Asofa-Solomona however, remained his usual unflappable self and laughed off Gallen’s tirade. In response, he invited Gallen to settle the score right then and there.
“I’m right here. Let’s go,” said Asofa-Solomona.
“I said your wife is a smart lady because she said you should have stopped fighting. Can I talk?”
Gallen quickly shut down the impromptu fight, firing back, “I said Friday night. I’m not doing it here, I’m not being paid.”
Asofa-Solomona refused to back down, explaining his comments while revealing that he believed Gallen was only fighting for the money.
Gallen has been clear for months that he would only come out of retirement to fight Asofa-Solomona if a massive pay cheque was on the table.
Paul Gallen speaking to the broadcast after the war of words. Sophie Wisely
“I said your wife is a smart lady because she said you shouldn’t have come out of retirement. I’m Polish, she’s Polish,” NAS continued.
“You should have listened to her and not let the money get to you - you should have listened to your wife, that’s all I said.
“And it seems it got under his skin.”
“You don’t bring up bloke’s families...you’re a mutt,” responded Gallen.
The two NRL players previously had run-ons during their playing careers, but Asofa-Solomona and Gallen will finally settle their differences in the ring on Friday night.
