Aussie heavyweight Lucas Browne slams talk of Paul Gallen fighting Mike Tyson, challenges NRL great to showdown
Paul Gallen is really getting under Lucas Browne’s skin, with the former world heavyweight champion labelling the former NRL star ‘a grub’ after he was linked to a fight with Mike Tyson.
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Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne has slammed Paul Gallen and wants to floor the former NRL star in the boxing ring.
Gallen was recently linked to a potential fight against legend Mike Tyson – although he never made public comment on the possibility – and Australia’s only bona fide heavyweight champion, Browne, is incensed by the notion.
“Gallen is a grub, I would love to knock him out,” Browne told News Corp Australia.
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“Forget Mike Tyson - Gallen wouldn’t last 30 seconds in the ring with me.
“He thinks he’s entitled to fight Mike Tyson when he has done nothing in this sport, Mike is right, it is an insult to boxing.
“I’m Australia’s top heavyweight, if Gallen is serious about boxing let’s do the biggest heavyweight showdown in the country.”
Gallen, 38, did not wish to comment on 41-year-old Browne’s stunning spray.
A showdown between former WBA champion Browne (29-2, 25KO) and Gallen (9-0-1, 5KO) would present the NSW and Cronulla Sharks league great his greatest challenge in the ring.
Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams and AFL legend Barry Hall were linked to possible bouts against Tyson, who seems intent on making a comeback at the age of 53, after Melbourne promoter Brian Amatruda floated the idea publicly last week.
Via an email to Sydney-based publicist Max Markson, Tyson dismissed the idea as an insult to boxing.
Gallen last fought in November 2019 against Hall, a toughly contested cross-code bout that ended in a majority draw, the first time Gallen had not won a fight since he started boxing professionally in 2014.
While there was plenty of speculation around a rematch, it has not transpired and appears to be fading.
Browne’s strong comments towards Gallen may be a precursor to a fight between the pair, but it’s more likely that Browne could take on New Zealand’s former world champion Joseph Parker, who is now ranked No.2 by the WBO and No.6 by the WBC.
It would be the first time former world champions from both sides of the Tasman would face each other, however there are some legal issues to be resolved.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down overseas travel, Browne had signed a contract to fight in Las Vegas against undefeated Russian Apti Davtaev (20-0-1, 19KO).
Browne must be granted permission by the US promoters to fight Parker, in the likelihood travel between Australia and New Zealand will be opened up while the American borders remain closed.
“I’m currently in talks with team Parker, I’m excited about the fight, but let’s see what happens in next couple of weeks,” Browne said.
Originally published as Aussie heavyweight Lucas Browne slams talk of Paul Gallen fighting Mike Tyson, challenges NRL great to showdown
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