EXCLUSIVE: 'They'll be going hard' - Boxing champion Michael Zerafa tips fireworks between SBW, Gallen
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After years of verbal jabs and senseless chirp, Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen will finally take their feud into the ring on Wednesday night at Qudos Bank Arena.
In doing so, they bring to life an unwanted narrative that boxing, unlike the UFC, has tried to shake off for decades - the biggest fights take far too long to materialise, if they take place at all.
The fractured boxing landscape, the loss of world titles, money and pride often get in the way of the match-ups fans want to see.
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Gallen and Williams squabbled over their cut for the fight for years with Williams saying Gallen initially demanded 70 per cent of the takings.
That has resulted in the former NSW captain entering arguably the most lucrative event of his 18-fight career without a bout in more than two years.
"If they went at it like three years ago I think Gallen would win easily because he was fighting regularly and was a beast," world title challenger Michael Zerafa told Wide World of Sports.
Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen pose with Danny Green at the press conference ahead of their fight. Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
"But he's been retired for a while now. This is probably the best time for Sonny Bill to fight him and it's probably the worst time for Gallen to fight Sonny Bill because he got knocked out last time and he will be hungry.
"It's probably the last fight for both of them so they'll be going hard."
Gallen seemed to suggest as much during an interview with New Zealand publication Stuff on Monday.
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
Paul Gallen believes his aggressive style will be too much for Williams. Getty
"I've been retired [for] three years. I wouldn't have come back for anyone else. There's no reason to come back for anyone else. This is the one bloke I want to get my hands on," Gallen said.
"We are only here because of me.
"Everyone knows Sonny wouldn't have got near me four or five years ago, he's waited it out, waited it out. People say I am giving him what he wants. Why not get in there and give it a crack."
Gallen retired from boxing with a 15-2-1 record in November 2022 with a win over fellow league player Justin Hodges. Gallen had not lost in his first 12 fights, although he did draw with Barry Hall.
Former world champion Billy Dib told WWOS he saw worrying signs in Gallen's last fight against Hodges but Zerafa believes the former Sharks skipper has one special performance left in him.
"For me, I think maybe Gallen wins with his aggression and toughness," he added. "And I think there is that rivalry, or not even rivalry, I think they just generally hate each other.
"I think Gallen fights the best when he doesn't like somebody.
"Sonny's got the length of the arms, he's tall, but I just think Gallen and his activity, he likes to get in there and fight close.
"If Sonny Bill has a great game plan and uses that jab and stuff, then it'll be a hard fight for Gal but, you know, I think it's a 50/50 fight.
"I think both need a great game plan, but if I had to put a gun to my head and I had to put a bet on, I'd probably put it on Gallen just on pure aggression."
Speaking to 2GB's Wide World of Sports on Monday night, Gallen did not shy away from his age and what that could mean come Wednesday. But he believes his fighting style will trouble Williams regardless.
"Age is undefeated for a reason," Gallen said. "You look back at what you've done in the past and you try to emulate that sort of stuff, but there's a reason you can't do it.
"The reason is we're getting old and you got to retire from professional sport, that's life.
"But, I'm prepared for the position I'm in at the moment for my age.
"I'm prepared as well as I possibly can. I don't think he likes being pressured.
"I don't think he likes getting hit. I don't like getting hit either, which is not nice, but, I think I can handle it better than him.
"I just think the pressure that I apply to him, he won't be able to handle."
