This was published 12 years ago
NRL heavyweight Gallen wins boxing debut
Rugby league star Paul Gallen has made an exhilarating professional boxing debut, climbing off the canvas to stop Herman Ene-Purcell in two frantic rounds.
After being dropped in the first round, Gallen pounded his rival in the second, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
However the action didn't end there as the two fighters exchanged several more blows.
Gallen was on the undercard to Daniel Geale, who schooled Garth Wood. (Getty Images)
Strike one. Gallen celebrates his win and didn't rule out stepping back in the ring.
Roared on by the Sydney crowd, Gallen took control in the second round.
This is when things got messy. Ene-Purcell took a swing after the fight was stopped.
Gallen was quick to react, returning fire as the crowd erupted.
It took both teams to separate the pair.
Gallen said he would consider another fight after the NRL season.
Daniel Geale is aiming for world champion Gennady Golovkin after schooling Garth Wood.
Wood's corner retired their man at the end of the sixth round.
