Paul Gallen reveals daily social media trolling ahead of return to boxing ring to face Mark Hunt
Paul Gallen hit out at his online critics after revealing he was the victim of daily social media trolling ahead of his return to the boxing ring to face Mark Hunt.
Boxing/MMA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
This is for the haters.
Paul Gallen has issued a declaration that he will defeat boxing rival Mark Hunt to “shove it up” his many online critics as he tackles social media bullying.
The rugby league hardman-turned-fighter will face his greatest challenge in the ring on December 16 when he clashes with UFC knockout king Hunt, who is a heavy favourite to stop Gallen.
Watch Boxing Live & On-Demand on Kayo. Selected international fights, classic bouts and more. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
BOXING LATEST
US legend’s incredible gift to fight Aussie star’s ‘robbery’
Boxing 'monster’ leaves world stunned
And since the fight was announced there has been no shortage of social media accounts telling Gallen this will be his fate.
“They’re faceless trolls. Since this fight’s been spoken about, I’ve received daily messages,” Gallen told News Corp.
“That’s of zero concern to me, I look forward to shoving it up everyone when I get the win.”
Gallen doesn’t need to use the nasty messages as motivation for his relentless training campaign, but does want action taken to stop targeted attacks.
“Ever since social media came around, which fortunately was at the back end of my career, there’s real funny things that happen,” Gallen said.
“It’s such a good tool to interact with fans who want to be fans.
“But it’s such a disgraceful platform for nameless, faceless trolls who unfortunately get away with a lot.
“I’m really glad to see that there’s starting to be some headway in people taking action, Erin Molan’s been a big advocate of it which I support. I saw something recently where someone sued someone else for $150,000.
“I’m glad that’s happening, and especially with the fact I’ve got little children as well, I think we’re heading in the right direction with getting some of that shut down.”
Gallen, 39, says those making predictions about Hunt producing one of his trademark UFC “walk-off knockouts” – where he lands a huge punch and begins walking away in celebration before his opponent has hit the canvas – are clueless.
“I don’t think anyone who knows anything about boxing can work this fight out, all the idiots out there who have no idea think he’s going to give me a walk-off knockout,” Gallen said.
“They think he’s just going to punch me in the face and I’m just going to stand there and let him do it.
“Not too many people know too much about boxing. This is boxing, it’s not a tough-man contest, I’m not going to stand there and let him punch me, so there’s going to be a lot of movement involved.
“The more sparring I do over the three weeks, the more confident I’m going to get.”
A regular target of abuse from Queensland State of Origin fans, and many supporters of teams opposing the Cronulla Sharks during his long NRL career, Gallen believes the attitudes are drive by “tall poppy syndrome”.
“I understand what people are like, and what peoples’ attitudes are towards me,” Gallen said.
“It’s the tall poppy syndrome, everyone wants to see people brought down a peg, or a long way.
“I’ve been putting up with it for 20 years, it doesn’t worry me one bit, at all.
“It just goes to show the stupidity of a lot of people. I’m not one bit concerned about what they say.”
Gallen does not ever respond to his haters, but uses their words for fuel.
“I just don’t pay attention to it, I know some guys I played footy with were responding to people, I’m thinking ‘What are you doing?’ Gallen said.
“I don’t know why people bite at it.”
Gallen and Hunt fight on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s bout against Bowyn Morgan at Bankwest Stadium.
Originally published as Paul Gallen reveals daily social media trolling ahead of return to boxing ring to face Mark Hunt
Power rankings: Australian boxing’s 20 most influential figures
Who really pulls the strings behind the scenes of Australian boxing? BRENDAN BRADFORD counts down the 20 most powerful figures in the sport, from Tim Tszyu to George Rose.
Gallen to consider shock boxing comeback
The man Paul Gallen once labelled a “dog and coward” is the bait to get the former NRL star out of boxing retirement – with the Cronulla and NSW legend eyeing unfinished business.