The war of words between Paul Gallen and NRL forward Josh Aloiai has taken a fiery turn after both rugby league hardmen took to their Instagram accounts today to pour fuel on the fire.
The two men appear set to square off in the boxing ring, but a deal is yet to be struck and frustrations are spilling over on both sides of the divide.
Gallen holds an 11-1-1 professional record while Aloiai would be debuting if he was to step up and fight the former Cronulla captain.
But last week it was the Manly prop who ignited the verbal battle, taking to Triple M radio to publicly declare he will almost certainly beat Gallen and revealing he’s been boxing “since I was a kid”.
Gallen’s response was nothing short of savage, telling Wide World of Sports exclusively; “I look at his rugby league ability and I don’t see a whole lot there, to be honest, so I think whatever he’s doing in his spare time he’s probably doing boxing”.
Yesterday Gallen doubled down, taking to Instagram to accuse Aloiai of shirking an offer to fight over six three-minute rounds. He says the Sea Eagles star instead wants the fight to be four two-minute rounds.
That sparked a response from Aloiai today, with the 25-year-old accusing Gallen of lying.
“Paul, I’ve agreed to 6×2. The contract you’s (sic) sent me,” Aloiai wrote in an Instagram story.
“The exact same as (when Gallen fought) Barry Hall and (John Hopoate). You didn’t need more than two minutes for the experienced Lucas Browne so stop yarning and sign the contract!
“You tell me to respect boxing but when you thought I was out of the fight due to illness you tried to offer (Joey Leilua) 3x2min rounds? Someone you know has no boxing experience.”
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It took Gallen barely any time to see Aloiai’s post and respond with one of his own.
“You flop I sent you nothing, I’m not the promoter,” Gallen wrote, tagging Aloiai.
“I don’t know if you’re sick, and I don’t care. I never approached (Leilua)… maybe the promoter did but that’s his job.
“I wouldn’t fight him over 3x2min rounds. Same as I won’t fight you over 2min rounds you coward.
“Do it properly or don’t do it flog.”
Gallen recently signed a deal committing to three fights over the next 12 months, but he is yet to lock in a bout since losing to superstar heavyweight Justis Huni mid-year.
Aloiai will soon be returning to pre-season training with Manly and it’s unlikely the Sea Eagles will want him punching on with Gallen after the NRL season gets underway again in March.
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