'I'll see you soon, champion': Gallen taunts SBW, snubs his own press conference
Updated . First published at
A decade of trash talking will finally be settled in the ring as Stan on Tuesday confirmed the Sonny Bill Williams vs Paul Gallen super-fight will be held at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on July 16.
Gallen (15-2-1) has not fought since beating Justin Hodges in 2022 but the lure of taking down fellow NRL great Williams (9-1) has brought the 43-year-old out of retirement.
But there was late drama as Gallen snubbed the press conference at Liberty Hall and put the onus on Williams to instead sell the fight.
Sonny Bill Willams vs Paul Gallen at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on July 16 is available to order live and exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View for $70
"Hey guys, right about now, I'm supposed to be at the press conference for me vs Sonny Bill Williams, but clearly I'm not," Gallen said in a spicy Instagram post.
"You see, this whole negotiation process has been about Sonny, so I thought I'd leave it that way. You know, I wanted to fight early in the year. Sonny wanted to fight later in the year because it didn't suit him, so we're fighting later in the year."
Gallen also taunted Williams for not agreeing to three-minute rounds.
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"I wanted to fight over 10, three-minute rounds. He wanted eight. Then he wanted eight, two-minute rounds. So, now we're doing two-minute rounds. Everything is always about Sonny.
"Sonny gets what Sonny wants. I didn't want to steal his thunder today, so he can go and say whatever he wants to say."
Dual code star Williams, 39, also had his last fight in 2022 when he suffered his first professional heavyweight loss against MMA legend Mark Hunt via TKO.
"He's a big enough star to carry this fight all on his own," Gallen said.
"I mean, all his other pay-per-view shows have been absolute blockbusters, haven't they? They've been good, haven't they, Sonny? Big, big selling pay-per-view numbers you've done.
"You're an absolute superstar. You're a better athlete, you're a better boxer than me. You're younger than me, you're fitter. What hope do I have, mate? I'm just going to turn up on the night and give it a good old crack.
Paul Gallen celebrates winning against John Hopoate. Getty
"I hope you feel like I've wasted your time, mate, because I feel like you've wasted my time the past 10 years. But finally, you built up the courage to jump in the ring with me. July 16, we'll get it done.
"But you, you keep being a good boy, you keep doing what you're told and I'll give you some attention very, very soon. And I hope you train hard, because while I'm past my best, we all know that I've still got enough left in me to beat you.
"I'll see you soon, champion."
The fight is available now to order in Australia for $70 on Stan Pay-Per-View.
"Sonny Bill Williams v Paul Gallen is the culmination of years of build‑up - two of Australia's most formidable athletes finally settling an authentic, long‑standing dispute live and exclusive on Stan Pay‑Per‑View," Stan's director of sport Ben Kimber said.
"Backed by Nine's unparalleled promotional reach, this event will capture the imagination of sports fans nationwide."
General admission tickets go on sale on May 28 via Ticketek, with ringside hospitality packages available now via VIP Now.
The super-card will also feature former UFC powerhouse Tyson Pedro (1‑0) when he defends his WBC International Bridgerweight title against Kris Terzievski (13‑1‑2).
Terzievski infamously withdrew on the morning of their rescheduled 2024 clash, provoking Pedro's vow for retribution.
Kiwi sensation David Nyika (10‑1) and rising Australian heavyweight Alex Leapai Jr (4‑0‑1) are also on the card.
"This card is more than just one blockbuster headliner," Kimber said.
"We've assembled a deep undercard that begins with a high‑stakes bridgerweight grudge match: Tyson Pedro v Kris Terzievski. These two have unfinished business after two cancelled bouts, and on July 16, they'll settle the score once and for all. Together with our presenting partner Manuka Phuel and event partners TEG Sport and Duco Events, we're delivering what promises to be an unforgettable night for Australian sport."
