AS IT HAPPENED: Paul Gallen stuns Sonny Bill Williams in controversial split points decision
Fight card
Alex Leapai Jr def. Herve Silu Mata by knockout
Rahim Mundine def. Joe Vatusaqata by TKO
David Nyika def. Nikolas Charalampous by TKO
Johan Linde def. Kane Baker by split decision
Kris Terzievski def. Troy Pilcher by TKO
Clay Waterman def. Mose Auimatagi by unanimous decision
Paul Gallen def. Sonny Bill Williams by split decision
Sonny Bill Williams 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
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FULL SBW vs GALLEN CARD RESULTS
FULL SBW v GALLEN CARD RESULTS:
- Alex Leapai Jr def. Herve Silu Mata by knockout (heavyweight)
- Rahim Mundine def. Joe Vatusaqata by TKO (super middleweight)
- David Nyika def. Nikolas Charalampous by TKO (retirement) (cruiserweight)
- Johan Linde def. Kane Baker by split decision (heavyweight)
- Kris Terzievski def. Troy Pilcher by TKO (heavyweight)
- Clay Waterman def. Mose Auimatagi Jr by unanimous decision (cruiserweight)
- Paul Gallen def. Sonny Bill Williams by split decision (heavyweight)
The Gallen victory was the only upset of the night.
What a warrior he is.
Green bemused by Gallen points victory
Australian boxing legend Danny Green is confused after Paul Gallen was awarded a points victory over Sonny Bill Williams on Wednesday night.
Gallen got the nod 77-74 and 76-75 on two judges' scorecards while Williams was favoured 77-74 on the other in front of an electric crowd at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena.
"I got the win, that's all that matters. It will be there forever," Gallen said.
"Sonny just came up and said he wants to have a coffee man-to-man and I'll honour that. I've had my fights. I've finished my fights. I've moved on with life. I'm not going to bring this up or talk about it, or carry on.
"If I get asked about it in the next couple of days I'll answer the questions, but I won't gloat. It's been a long time coming. I got the job done."
Green saw it differently.
"It's very difficult to score a fight. For me, Sonny landed the cleaner, harder, crisper shots that were more eye-catching. Professional boxing is scored on the cleaner, harder punches. At the end of the fight - I had Sonny in front - and I questioned, are the judges going to score those body shots?
"And if they were, Paul Gallen landed a ton. And that was the difference I guess."
That's a wrap as Gallen takes bragging rights
That's a wrap as Paul Gallen takes bragging rights from a spiteful night of boxing.
Stay tuned to Wide World of Sports and Stan Sport as we bring you all the fallout - and look ahead to the Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions clash on Saturday.
Over and out.
Controversy reigns as Gallen awarded points victory
Paul Gallen has defeated bitter foe Sonny Bill Williams in their decade-in-the-making grudge match, clinching victory via a split-points decision that will have the punters debating for a long time to come.
After a brutal eight-round bout packed with head-rocking hits, swift uppercuts, crunching body shots and a point deduction, it was Gallen who iced his legendary sporting career with one final win.
One judge gave the fight to Gallen 77-74, another scored in favour of Williams 77-74, and the other put down 76-75 in favour of Gallen.
Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams talk after their heavyweight bout at Qudos Bank Arena on July 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Gallen claims ultimate bragging rights
This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission
It would have been better five years ago.
But the long-touted, deeply personal fight between Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen finally ushered both old warhorses into sporting retirement in Sydney late on Wednesday evening, with a $1m payday each and a win to Gallen - by just a single point.
One judge scored the fight 77-74 to Gallen, another 77-74 to Williams and the third 76-75 to Gallen - making a point deducted from Williams by referee Les Fear in the seventh round for persistent holding the crucial moment of the fight.
Gallen said he was astounded it had been scored so close, claiming he had lost only one round - the second - but was otherwise magnanimous in victory.
Paul Gallen celebrates winning against Sonny Bill Williams. Getty
Gallen reigns supreme
What a crazy night as Paul Gallen reigns supreme.
Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen exchange punches during their heavyweight bout. Getty
Drama as Khoder offers middle finger salute
There was certainly tension after that fight.
Sonny Bill Williams' manager Khoder Nasser was seen exchanging verbal blows with Paul Gallen in the ring.
Nasser then went back to Williams' corner before he offered a middle finger salute to the sky when the result came through.
Media has now been informed Williams won't be doing interviews post-fight.
"They saw it and they can report on what they saw," Nasser said.
Khoder Nasser and Paul Gallen exchange words. Lachlan Harper
GALLEN BEATS SBW ON POINTS!
Paul Gallen has beaten Sonny Bill Williams in a split decision!
Gallen got the nod 77-74 and 76-75 on two judges' scorecards while Williams got the nod 77-74 on the other.
"I got COVID two weeks ago," Gallen reveals.
Danny Green didn't see it that way and nor did I but there you go.
Gallen now reveals that he had COVID in the buildup to the fight.
We're going to the judges
We're going to the judges as the fight goes the full eight rounds.
Danny Green has Sonny Bill Williams in front but let's see.
The pair have had a long chat after belting each other.
SBW has point deducted
Sonny Bill Willams has a point deducted after stalling after copping a huge body shot from Paul Gallen.
The referee tells Williams he's at risk of disqualification.
