Fight Club 2022: Paul Gallen rejects $5 million SBW fight, Tim Tszyu plans shock US relocation
Paul Gallen loves a dollar, and he would make millions of them if he fought Sonny Bill Williams, but there’s just one thing stopping him.
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Not even a guaranteed $5 million will convince Paul Gallen to come out of retirement to fight Sonny Bill Williams next year.
Gallen will farewell boxing with a rematch against Justin Hodges at Sydney’s ICC Super Aware Theatre on Wednesday night, and has closed the door on a potential mega-rich comeback fight against rival Williams.
“I’ll never fight Sonny Bill, I’ll say that right now, even if they guaranteed $5 million in my bank account before the fight, because he’d make $5 million too,” Gallen said.
“He had his chance. We should have fought twice over the last couple of years. The ego and arrogance from their side is at a level that I don’t want to be involved in.
“No Limit don’t want to be involved with them, No Limit’s the biggest and best promoter in Australia and they don’t want to be involved with them? What does that say?
“That fight will never happen, I’m not going to talk crap about Sonny. I was asked if Sonny should fight again, yes, Sonny is 37, he’s got plenty left in him.
“Look what I’ve done in the last three years, grossed $25 million. He could do the same, make millions. But I will not fight Sonny Bill, ever.”
Williams was recently stopped by Mark Hunt — his first loss in boxing — but is tipped to continue his fight career.
Williams and his camp could not be reached for comment.
The reason Gallen is so certain about retirement is clear – his family.
“They don’t want me to fight anymore, they’re adamant,” Gallen said.
“My missus is 100 per cent adamant, my son who I love more than life, he doesn’t want to see me do it anymore. And at some stage I’ve got to put them first.
“I’ve been a professional athlete since I was 18 years old.”
But Hodges plans to ruin Gallen’s retirement party for the sake of his own.
“There is a lot of tension, it’s going to boil over in the fight, this one means a lot to both of us, it’s our last fight and we both want to go out as a winner,” Hodges said.
“Last time I hit him, it wasn’t even a hard shot but I dropped him. I’ve only got to hit him once, he’s got to hit me multiple times just to slow me down.
“If I pick my punches, land the right one at the right time, he won’t be getting up.”
Hodges plans to celebrate victory by heading up to his home town of Cairns and drinking beer while fishing in the local rivers.
Watch Gallen v Hodges 2 & Michael Zerafa’s return to the ring LIVE on Main Event available on Foxtel & Kayo Sports, Wednesday November 23 from 7pm AEDT ORDER NOW >
TSZYU’S AUDACIOUS MOVE WILL RATTLE AUSTRALIAN BOXING
Not only has Tim Tszyu declared he will never fight Michael Zerafa, he’s revealed plans to permanently relocate to the United States following his world title fight against Jermell Charlo in January.
Tszyu revealed his shock plans to live in the US to News Corp Australia after obtaining a travel visa on Monday that will allow him to be based there for the next 10 weeks in preparation for the undisputed super-welterweight showdown against champion Jermell Charlo.
Earlier, Tszyu had phoned Paul Gallen during Monday’s live televised press conference promoting Gallen vs Justin Hodges and Zerafa vs Danilo Creati.
Gallen, sitting next to Zerafa, answered the call and said: “Tim wants to know if you’re turning up this time”, to which Zerafa replied: “I’ll help pick him up off the canvas once he gets knocked out by Charlo”.
The exchange, and the fact Zerafa has been put on the show by Tszyu’s promoters No Limit Boxing, has prompted speculation a Tszyu-Zerafa showdown looms in future.
But Tszyu has shattered that notion.
“He literally missed my fight, we had a fight and he pulled out, that’s it, the ship has sailed.
“I’m onto Las Vegas. I’m considering moving to America, basing myself there, that’s the option I’m going.
“Talking about fights against Zerafa? Come on man.
“I’ll see what happens after the Charlo fight. I’ve conquered Australia, I’ve done what needs to be done, my goal is to conquer America and to do that, you’ve got to go there.
“That’s what I’m doing. One step at a time.
“First it was Minnesota, now it’s Las Vegas, the biggest stage of them all.
“I’m chasing the biggest fights, I’m not chasing loudmouths and flops.
“Zerafa needs me more than I need him, I don’t need him at all. He’s already pulled out and he showed his true colours there, so that fight is not happening and will never happen.
“When he fought in America he was put on a stretcher after getting knocked out by Peter Quillin.”
Tszyu met with Australian cricketer David Warner in Melbourne on Monday, and said he’d entertain a future fight at the MCG, but that won’t be against Zerafa.
DEADLY AIRPORT CRASH THREATENS BOUT
It’s not often a deadly airport crash threatens to cancel a fight, but that was nearly the case for rising star Paulo Aokuso, whose opponent David Zegarra narrowly avoided disaster last weekend.
Zegarra was awaiting his flight to Sydney from Peru’s Lima Airport last Friday when a plane taking off from the runway collided with a truck, killing two people.
Thankfully the out-of-control plane didn’t career into the crowded terminal where Zegarra was waiting.
Naturally, the airport was closed for quite some time, and Zegarra had to scramble for a new flight.
He’ll arrive for Wednesday’s fight in time, but with very little time to shed the water he’ll retain at high altitude, meaning there’s a fair chance he will weigh over the light-heavyweight limit of 79kg at Tuesday’s weigh-in.
“Just as long as he turns up to fight, and as long as he returns home safely, I’m not fazed,” Aokuso said.
“I don’t care if he’s five kilograms heavier, I’ll still take the fight. It’s not going to be an issue at all.”
Aokuso’s cousin Joseph Sua’ali’i, who starred for Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup, will defy jet lag to attend the fight after his 30-hour flight home.
Tokyo Olympian Aokuso (2-0, 2KO) continues to take huge risks early in his career as he seeks to break Jeff Fenech’s Australian record of fastest man to a world title, in six to seven pro bouts.
Aokuso defeated the seasoned Michael Van Nimwegen on debut, then stopped former world title challenger Robert Berridge in his second.
Now he takes on Zegarra (35-8-1, 22KO), whose been in the ring with the likes of David Lemieux, Ali Akhmedov and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“I’ve fought two experienced fighters in my first two professional fights, there’s nothing I haven’t seen,” Aokuso said.
“He’ll bring his experience to the ring, different strategies, he’ll turn up the pace each round, but I know I’ll just do it.
“I feel like a lot of people are sleeping on me. I’ve only had two fights and haven’t really shown much, but hopefully as my fights progress they’ll see it.”
ROOSTERS ENFORCER FOCUSING ON THE ART OF SPEED
If study is a guide, expect to see lightning speed from Sio Siua Taukeiaho in his boxing debut against giant former league prop Jaiman Lowe.
The NRL Roosters enforcer has been watching two of the fastest punchers above middleweight in preparation for his fight.
“I watch Canelo Alvarez a few times, and Andy Ruiz, as a heavyweight, the speed and power he’s got,” Taukeiaho said.
“I want to apply pressure, especially a big bloke like him (Lowe), you also don’t want to get caught by one of his heavy hands but you do want to tire him out early.
“I’ll throw my jabs and work around him, I want to pick him out, see how I go in round one and whatever I can see, I’ll bring that in round two. If I can close it early, cool.”
WHERE RABBITOHS GUN FINDS HIS STRENGTH
Rabbitohs prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita will have all the support he needs in the crowd on Wednesday when he fights Bryce Jones.
“With this challenge, my motivation is my family,” Suluka-Fifita said.
“I have kids, they’ll be there Wednesday night. I’ve got two kids, twins, Tobias and Taimani, a boy and a girl who are three years old. They’re my why.
“My partner Layla McKay is beautiful, she helps with everything at home, she’s great.
“Once I see them on Wednesday night, I’ll be ready to go.”
Former Rooster Suluka-Fifita grew up in Redfern and started boxing training at 14, and is confident this fight will have him primed for a massive NRL season.
“When I wasn’t playing footy I was doing boxing, so I always had the desire and now I get to make my pro debut,” he said.
“I haven’t had a break, I’ve been training for eight weeks. I feel fitter, this is probably the fittest I’ve felt in my career so I’m looking forward to the 2023 season with South Sydney and we’ll get it done.”
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