Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After 10 years of talk, the score will be settled in the ring.
A long-time fantasy match up, it was confirmed today that dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams will box former league international Paul Gallen in eight, two-minute rounds on July 16 in Sydney.
The pair have been exchanging verbal jabs for the better part of a decade, Gallen alleging the William's boxing recorded is inflated by wins over far lesser opponents, while SBW has labelled Gallen a narcissist.
And they haven't stopped.
"I'm gonna smash his face, simple as that," Williams told media today.
"This type of character having a go at mine, I see that as a compliment. This is a bloke that loves to talk, and talk like he's the toughest guy in the world. This is not how I like to be as a person, but he brings it out in me, how he carries himself is everything I dislike."
It will be Williams' first walk to the ring since he suffered his first career loss, a knockout at the hands of UFC legend Mark Hunt in 2022.
Gallen meanwhile has not fought since beating fellow Australian league star Justin Hodges, also in in 2022.
Adding fuel to the feud, Gallen opted to no-show today's press conference because "it's all about Sonny".
"Everything is always about Sonny. Sonny gets what Sonny wants. I didn't want to steal his thunder today, so he can go and say whatever he wants to say. I wanted to fight early in the year. Sonny wanted to fight later in the year because it didn't suit him, so we're fighting later in the year."
Paul Gallen boxing. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Gallen said he hoped that Williams felt as though his time was wasted at today's press conference.
"I feel like you've wasted my time the past 10 years. But finally you built up the courage to jump in the ring with me. While I'm past my best we all know that I've still got enough left in me to beat you. I'll see you soon champion."
Both men are expected to pocket $1million for the bout.
New Zealand cruiserweight David Nyika will also return to action on the card for the first time since his devastating KO loss at the hands of Jai Opetaia.
His opponent is yet to be confirmed.
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