After a decade of trash talk, Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams finally got in the ring overnight at the Qudos Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park.
The eight-round bout went to split decision, with one judge scoring the fight 77-74 to Gallen, another 77-74 to Williams, and the third 76-75 to Gallen.
In the seventh round, SBW was deducted one point for persistent holding, which turned out to be the deciding factor.
The result has turned out to be highly controversial, with both SBW, his camp, and a good chunk of the Internet disagreeing with the judges’ call.
SBW was so frustrated that he didn’t attend the post-match press conference, and only allowed Stuff to go into his dressing room.
Danny Green, an Australian boxing great who was calling the fight on Stan Sport, spoke to Stuff, backing SBW.
“He landed cleaner, harder, crispier shots,” said Green.
Stuff caught SBW speaking to Green, saying: “The reality is - look at my face, can you go and get a close-up of old mate's?” A video on the Stuff website showed a frustrated SBW talking to his camp, saying, “Even if they took one round off me, I still won all the other rounds… I almost dropped him in the second.”
To some of his other mates, he said, “C’mon, boys, did you see that?”
The 39-year-old said he thought it was “a victory”, even though he’s “a harsh critic” of himself.
SBW shared a picture of himself on the ground during the fight, with the caption: “I’m truly grateful for everyone who supported me. Always Alhamduilliah.”
Fans online were quick to share their outrage.
“Winner in our eyes!” one passionate comment read.
Another kept it real: “What a robbery.”
“That was your victory,” said a third.
A Reddit thread for the fight also had plenty of SBW supporters.
“Wanted Gal to win but thought SBW won imo,” said one boxing fan.
Another gave their scorecard: “I had the fight 6-2 from SBW… shit job from the judges tonight but especially the ref.”
Sky Sport posted pictures from the fight, asking fans, “What did you think of the fight?”
“I streamed this for free yet still feel ripped off,” was one clever dig.
Another fan kept it simple with: “Robbed”
The winner for me, though, is this shiner: “Next time let AI decide.”
The two ex-footy players going glove to glove was highly anticipated, following a decade of trash talk.
Just a week prior, SBW and Paul Gallen were beefing on Channel Nine in Australia, ahead of the State of Origin game.
Gallen called SBW a “mutt” and a “weak-gutted dog”.
Ouch.
Despite having a famous dislike for each other, the two saw eye to eye after a little disagreement post-match, even agreeing to get a coffee.
Post-match, Gallen expressed his appreciation for SBW and wished “the best to him and his family.”
The 43-year-old officially quit boxing after the win, stating, “That’s my sporting career done”.
As for SBW, it remains to be seen what his future in the sport will be after the loss.
All I know is that I want to be a fly on the wall for their coffee.
