Paul Gallen says he would not support the decision to have Arabella del Busso fight on the same boxing card as him.
Del Busso became known to the wider rugby league and sporting community in 2019 when she was the partner of former NRL star Josh Reynolds.
She accused Reynolds of assault, and video was leaked that showed the then Wests Tigers star acting aggressively towards her (see above).
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Police later dropped all charges against Reynolds and more details of their relationship were revealed. Del Busso allegedly faked several pregnancies and miscarriages, faked illness, and essentially tried to con the footballer.
Reynolds spoke to 9News in February 2020 about the ordeal.
“For me, for her, I can stand here and say to ‘Arabella,’ whatever your name is, you said to me, you’re going to bring me and my mum down. We’re still standing, we’re still here,” Reynolds said.
But this week it was revealed No Limit Boxing – the promoters who organised Gallen to fight Josh Aloiai – had put del Busso on the card for the two-day event in Newcastle in mid-December.
Del Busso is set to fight former English model, now boxer, Kate McLaren, in what would be their professional debut.
Gallen was not aware of the news until alerted to the story by 2GB’s WWOS Radio yesterday.
And while he says he has no power over who fights on his undercard, he would not support del Busso making an appearance.
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“I know Josh really well and what happened there was disgraceful,” Gallen said.
“I have no control over who’s on the undercard to be honest. I wouldn’t not fight because of that reason, but no, I wouldn’t support it.
“I wouldn’t support that particular person, not my cup of tea at all.
“Josh is a great guy, always been to me, and I felt terribly sorry for what happened there.
“But I have no control over who fights on the undercard.”
The two-day boxing event was postponed yesterday when news broke Aloiai had tested positive to COVID-19.
No Limit is hoping to reschedule the card for December 22 but that’s yet to be confirmed.
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