The much-anticipated fight between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams didn’t quite live up to the hype, but Gallen clinched the boxing bragging rights by winning a contentious split decision in their Sydney matchup. Two judges scored the fight 77-74 and 76-75 in favor of Gallen, while a third judge gave Williams a 77-74 win during the relatively subdued event at Sydney’s Kudosbank Arena.
Despite years of heated rivalry and verbal exchanges, the bout lacked high drama as both fighters focused on neutralizing each other’s strengths. Gallen, a former Australian and State of Origin rugby player with a record of 15-3-1 (8 KOs), pressured Williams from the outset, but the taller Williams, standing 12cm taller, used his jab and movement to his advantage. The 39-year-old dual-code rugby star often resorted to holding and clinching to avoid Gallen’s attacks and was warned by the referee in the seventh round for it.
Williams declined to speak in the ring or attend the post-fight press conference. Gallen admitted losing a round or two but emphasized that the victory would always count. He mentioned he had recovered from COVID-19 ahead of the fight and expressed satisfaction with achieving his goal, also revealing a plan to reconcile with Williams over coffee.
In other fights, Victorian Chris Terzievski successfully defended his two regional titles by defeating New Zealander Troy Pilcher with a body shot in the sixth round, with the referee stopping the fight after additional knockdowns. Additionally, Rahim Mundin, son of former world champion Antony Mundin, secured a swift second-round win, and heavyweight Alex Leepai Jr. added another knockout victory to his record. New Zealand’s David Nyika bounced back from a loss to IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia by defeating fellow Kiwi Nik Charalampus.
Fan Take: This fight matteringly settles a long-standing rivalry that’s sparked interest beyond just boxing fans, showcasing how athletes from other sports can bring fresh excitement to the ring. It highlights the potential for crossover events to draw diverse audiences and grow the sport’s popularity globally.
