'Called his bluff': Paul Gallen's stunning Sonny Bill Williams claim as fight contract talks continue
Paul Gallen has called into question whether Sonny Bill Williams is actually hungry to fight him and said he had agreed to a key detail in their potential bout.
Fight talks between the two league greats have been floating around for almost a decade, but those talks have repeatedly stalled.
The latest twist in the ongoing contract negotiations revealed that Williams would not be stepping into the ring unless his rival agreed to fight two-minute rounds.
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Gallen openly disagreed to the terms when they were presented in March but has now admitted he's accepted the terms.
Still, the fight does not seem to be going ahead anytime soon.
"I've actually agreed to the two-minute rounds now just to prove the fact that (Williams) won't do it," Gallen said on 2GB's The Continuous Call Team on Saturday.
Sonny Bill Williams in his corner after his loss to Mark Hunt in 2022. Getty
"Have I got a reply (after agreeing to the rounds)? No, so there we go.
"I don't think he wants to do it, so I've called his bluff."
Gallen insisted he was not "nervous" to step back into the ring against Williams, although he was intrigued to learn why his rival had yet to sign a contract.
"I'm not nervous at all. I just told you where it is at," he continued.
"I've had no correspondence with anyone about it since I made the offer a week ago.
"I don't know (why there's been no reply).
"Like I said, I really don't think he wants to do it."
Laughing, Continuous Call Team member Darryl Brohman asked: "Is he scared of you, is that what you're saying?"
Gallen replied: "It's been going on for 10 years. You don't think he's been scared before?
"We've been speaking about it for 10 years and he's never wanted to do it.
"Have I been saying for a long time that I want to do it? Yes. Someone should ask him why he (doesn't want to do it). I can't answer for him because I have no idea."
Paul Gallen punches Justin Hodges in 2022. Getty
The 43-year-old former Sharks skipper has been adamant his days in the ring have come to an end, but he is willing to step back into the arena if offered big money.
"What did I start boxing for in the first place? Money," Gallen said.
"So I have no care as far as leaving or worrying about winning titles. If I can get paid a good fee for fighting him, I'll do it. If not, I won't do it."
