Paul Gallen says a ‘life-changing’ amount of money was offered to both he and Sonny Bill Williams to finally settle their differences in the boxing ring, only for his would-be opponent to knock it back.
“This was put to Sonny’s manager, Khoder Nasser, for absolutely life-changing money,” Gallen told Wide World of Sports.
“I’m talking millions. A multi-million dollar deal. Refused.”
The former Sharks skipper said his advisors were pitched the idea of two fights by an international promoter, but the suggestion was immediately dismissed by the Williams camp.
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There have been multiple instances of the two agreeing or reportedly agreeing to fight, only for the deal to collapse. Now 40, Gallen thinks it’s probably too late.
It comes after Williams revealed he wants to fight Gallen, but not immediately.
“I’m confident me and Sonny won’t happen. I agreed to a fight, with Khoder, four or five years ago.”
Gallen said he agreed to a deal where he would give the lion’s share of both the Australian and New Zealand pay-per-view money to his opponent, knowing full well the fight wouldn’t take place.
Gallen said there was “no way” he’d be fighting in two years’ time, and that the Williams fight represented a brilliant way for him to end his career in the ring.
After all, this fight is the one that has eluded him since he made his debut in the sport a decade ago.
“A question I got everywhere I went, school visits, hospital visits: ‘when are you fighting Sonny Bill?’ And I said, ‘ask him.'”
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Williams has been shaping for a return to professional boxing more than six years after his last fight – and recently took a warm-up fight against Waikato Falefehi, who sported a 2-14 record.
Gallen criticised the move and scoffed at Williams being knocked down during the bout.
“As much as I don’t like Barry Hall, he fought me coming out of retirement. And he’s happy to fight Sonny as well. What are these warmup fights?
“The logistics of even getting together is near impossible. We haven’t even gotten to a negotiating table yet.
“I just don’t think it will ever happen, I’m not that fussed about it.”
Williams’ last fight before that was all the way back in 2015, against American Chauncy Welliver.
“I think Sonny wants to protect his legacy. I’ve never bagged him, I think he’s been an oustanding athlete and rugby league and rugby union and he wants to protect that.”
“I couldn’t give a sh-t about legacy. I’ve said from day one I’m here to get paid – so Sonny trying to bag me that I’m only here for the money is laughable.
“Sonny clearly forgets walking out on his mates when he was at the Bulldogs and quite publicly said he was going to earn more money.
“I don’t think he’s smart, I think he’s really dumb. I’m not a Khoder Nasser fan but Thank God he’s there steering things in the right direction.”
Gallen said he’s happy to fight Hall again, if that’s what people want to see.
“It’s entertainment at the end of the day. That’s why I fought Barry, Mark Hunt, Justis Huni, Lucas Browne – Sonny goes and has a fight in a warehouse with nobody watching.”
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