Locker Room: Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams tension causing drama at Channel 9
Bad blood between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams has become personal and the ongoing animosity is likely to require intervention from Channel 9 executives, writes David Riccio.
NRL
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Bad blood between commentators and boxers Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams has turned personal with the animosity likely to require intervention from Nine executives.
Such is the level of spite between the two, it’s believed Gallen no longer wants to work on-air with the former Kiwi international, who Gallen has branded “fake” and “embarrassing”.
In a developing workplace issue for Nine executives, peace talks between Gallen and Williams will be required to manage the situation through the remainder of the network’s NRL finals series coverage.
The burning issue is particularly tenuous given Gallen is on the verge of contract renewal negotiations with Nine.
The animosity has progressed to a point where the former NSW State of Origin captain has called Williams “lame” and “boring” for trying to convince the public that a so-called ‘superfight’ between the two has recently been in the offering.
“He has known since last year that this year was going to be my final year in boxing and yet any chance he can get, he’s in the media, saying how he still wants to fight me and that some deal was put to me,’’ Gallen said.
“You’d think I’d know if a deal was put to me, I do my own contracts, it’s common knowledge within the sport that I assess everything that comes my way in the shape of contracts.
“But now I see he’s started to question my character because of the fact that I’m 41 and at some stage I have to put my body and family first.
“Who is he to question my decision to put my health and family first?
“I’m over his lame rubbish to help prop up his fights who are against fighters, I’ve already beaten.’’
Gallen says he has also been left fuming by the way Williams portrays himself in his presence and then seemingly something different when on-air or with the media.
“We worked together a couple of weeks ago after we had that blow-up off camera and then when I walk back in he walks over and shakes my hand like he wants to be my friend,” Gallen said.
“Then the next time he speaks to the media, he comes out with rubbish that has never happened.
“I know that everyone doesn’t get along within their work environment or in life. But you don’t be fake.
“Just don’t talk to me.’’
Gallen claims Williams “made up” a story during Nine’s NRL coverage two months ago of an alleged contract offer that would’ve seen the pair step into the boxing ring for one of the most anticipated fights in Australian boxing history.
On live TV, Williams urged Gallen to sign a contract where the split was ‘60/40’ against him.
Gallen denied ever receiving a contract offer.
“I hadn’t heard anything — not a phone call, a text message, nothing — until Sonny gets on television saying ‘sign a 60/40 contract’,” Gallen told Wide World of Sports on Wednesday.
“I said where is this contract?
“You’d think if there was a contract I would’ve had some correspondence. But there was nothing.
“Then on 100% Footy three days later one of the journos gave it to me about how things got heated and I said ‘mark my words, all Sonny is doing is looking for publicity’.
“The bloke is so dumb, he can’t talk or sell a fight.
“I said, ‘I guarantee he will announce a fight in the next month.’ And what’s happened? He has announced a fight.
“And everyone knows what is going to happen.
“I have been predicting this publicly for a year. It’s obvious.
“He’s trying to take on guys I’ve fought in the past and then beat them better than I have. But he’s taking on Mark two years after I fought him.
“So Sonny will stop Mark Hunt who will then say he’s the best boxer he has ever faced.
“I can see it already. He’s like a book, Sonny – easy reading.’’
Gallen double-downed on Instagram on Friday in response to a post related to Williams discussing a future fight with Gallen.
“Show the people the contract,’’ Gallen wrote to Williams.
“Or the correspondence between myself & u or your manager.
“A txt, email, phone call, anything?
“U can’t because there’s been a conversation u dope.’’
The drama is far from ideal timing for Gallen, who is in the final days of his preparation for an Australian boxing first, which will see him fight two opponents in one night.
On Thursday, live on Main Event, Gallen will fight former NRL players Ben Hannant before then facing Justin Hodges.
He will have only one hour between each fight.
The double-bout has been parried by some, but the 41-year-old says the task cant be underestimated and that he is stepping into the unknown of how to prepare for the challenge.
“These blokes (Hannant and Hodges) have been professional athletes their whole lives,” Gallen said. “They’re not going to lay down.
“Ben Hannant was an Australian front-rower, he’s going to be tough.
“Yeah, I’m a better boxer than both of them.
“But the thing with boxing is, the euphoria you get after a fight, the emotion you get when its all over ... you get this adrenaline dump.
“You can only just sit there.
“I’m going to have to do that twice.
“I’m going to get that adrenaline dump and euphoria after the first fight and then get up and do it again. That’s what I’m worried about.’’
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Originally published as Locker Room: Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams tension causing drama at Channel 9
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