Gallen-SBW boxing card in turmoil after former UFC star sensationally pulls out

The other major fight set for the Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams card is no more after a former Aussie UFC star pulled the pin, five weeks out from fight night.

The Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams fight card is in turmoil after former UFC star Tyson Pedro sensationally pulled out of his co-main event fight against Kris Terzievski.

His camp tells CODE Sports there are unresolved issues behind the scenes forcing them to withdraw.

A heavyweight bout a decade in the making, Gallen and Williams will finally fight at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on July 16. The Pedro-Terzievski fight was set to be the co-main event of the card which will be shown on Stan Sports pay-per-view.

Pedro quit the UFC last year and made a high-profile switch to boxing, but his transition has been anything but smooth.

When he left the UFC, Pedro joked that he’d have to “rob someone in the carpark, if anyone’s got any money on them” because his take home pay from his fight purse was so little.

He spoke more about fighter pay on this week’s episode of Four Corners on the ABC, and was promised big fights and big paydays to switch to boxing.

Kris Terzievski (L) and Tyson Pedro (R) face-off last month. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

As recently as this year, there were loose plans in place for Pedro to make a run at the WBC bridgerweight world title, and even talks of a blockbuster bout with Jake Paul.

But his switch to boxing suffered a false start when a sickening elbow injury while sparring forced him out of his first scheduled fight with Terzievski last year.

The pair were matched again for a Stan Sports show last November, but a spat over money and contracts saw Terzievski pull out on the morning of the fight.

Pedro eventually made his long-awaited boxing debut in February against Taimoor Khan, stopping the Pakistani in the seventh round.

The Sydneysider was once again matched up against Terzievski for the co-main event spot on the July 16 showdown between Gallen and Williams, but his team has told organisers he won’t be fighting.

Pedro retired from the UFC last year. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“I have one job on the team, and that’s to protect my son,” Pedro’s dad, John, told CODE Sports of the breakdown with event organisers.

“All of his career, and since he was a kid and I took him to little karate, my job was to protect him from all the hyenas out there.

“That’s what I’m trying to do.

“You guys must think we woke up yesterday.

“You’re not gonna treat us like monkeys.”

It’s unclear whether Pedro will be replaced on the card, but his team said they informed event organisers, including Stan, early so another fighter could step in to fight Terzievski.

They also don’t want any more friends, family or fans buying tickets believing Pedro will be on the card.

John says Pedro’s coach has been dealing with health and personal issues, meaning their preparation has been severely limited.

Pedro went 6-5 in an injury-interrupted UFC career, but quit MMA last year to pursue boxing.

Pedro is a business partner of Penrith Panthers superstar, Nathan Cleary, through their beer brand, Drink West.

Stan has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Gallen-SBW boxing card in turmoil after former UFC star sensationally pulls out