Paul Gallen defeats Mark Hunt, calls out MMA star Robert Whittaker

He’s one of the NRL’s most polarising characters and thousands tuned in to see him get knocked out, but it didn't happen. Has Paul Gallen become boxing’s new Anthony Mundine?

Paul Gallen and Mark Hunt went hammer and tongs in an incredible fight in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

Can Paul Gallen be knocked out?

It’s an important question.

Especially given so many of you -- and, c’mon, even Gal knows you’re out there -- are continually stumping up that Main Event cash every time this NRL great fights.

Just as you did in this one, right?

Tuning in for that opportunity to see one of rugby league’s more polarising characters sent to the land of wind and ghosts – or potentially, a long pine box -- by UFC legend Mark Hunt.

In some respects, Gal has become Australian boxing’s new Anthony Mundine.

With people tuning in to see him slept.

But guess what?

It never happened in this one.

Just as it has never happened – period.

Can Paul Gallen be knocked out?? He is yet to be KO’d now in 11 heavyweight bouts. Picture: Christian Gilles

Sure, Hunto came close.

Particularly in the second round at Bankwest Stadium’s Sydney Superfight, when he whacked the Cronulla Sharkies premiership great with an overhand right that seriously wobbled him.

“Didn’t see it,” Gallen told The Daily Telegraph afterwards. “Have no idea what he hit me with.

“But it stunned me.

“My corner said afterwards it was an overhand right but, yeah, I dunno.”

In the moment, Hunt had the opportunity to finish Gal.

But instead, the 46-year-old combat legend spread his arms wide, as if to suggest the moment would come again, and again, until he got the finish that had him the $1.65 TAB favourite.

But again, it never happened.

Gallen not only surviving all six rounds with a man who continually walked him down, looking for the bomb that would finish things, but punched back.

A mix of accuracy, power and almost unthinkable Shire toughness that eventually saw the underdog win on all three judges scorecards: 58/56, 58/56, 59/55.

So again, for all those wanting to see Big Gal knocked out … you may be waiting a while.

For while the man himself doesn’t want to discuss it, he is yet to be kayoed in 11 heavyweight boxing bouts, 348 NRL games, 24 Origins, 32 Tests, NRL grand finals, Mad Mondays, anything.

Now, you can throw in after 18 minutes against a man with some of the most feared hands on the planet.

So as for having never been iced?

“Nah, I haven’t touch wood,” Gallen said, pausing from the interview to go tap his hand in a wooden bench in the Bankwest Stadium dressing room.

“But I don’t want to talk about that.”

So as for those waiting for you to be kayoed?

“Ah, mate, I dunno,” he shrugged. “I saw something online a few days ago saying they wanted to see Gallen’s Mundine moment … I don’t know who wrote it.

“But I dunno.”

Hunt did manage to rock Gal twice, but the former NRL star held on to clinch the match. Picture: Getty Images.

Certainly, his critics will try to rewrite what happened on this night.

Determined to see Gallen was up against a rival who was too old, too slow, or maybe only interested in the $750,000 payday.

But Gallen earned this win in the toughest of ways.

Twice heavily rocked, and twice recovered. All while boxing smart against a rival with over 20 years of combat experience.

“But I can already see the haters on social media,” Gallen shrugged when asked if he knew his critics would look to rewrite this win.

“They’ll say ‘oh, you only beat a 46-year-old’.

“Yet in the lead up they were saying that Mark Hunt was going to kill me. Telling me ‘Rest In Peace’ and stuff like that.

“But I learned a long time ago that I can never win.

“So I’ll just keep doing what I do for myself and my family. I also have a group of great people around me.

“So I don’t have to worry about everyone else.”

While Gallen was also rattled with a Hunt left hook in the fourth round, he insisted afterwards that it was the round two thwack that almost got him.

But only almost.

“That was the one, yeah,” he said.

So as for what you made of Hunt not following up?

“He showboated,” Gallen shrugged. “Which helped me, obviously.

“But I did come too fairly quick.

“And he was a fair way away from me, I backed up. So he would’ve had to come forward and I would’ve grabbed him or covered up.

“I’m not saying he would’ve cleaned me up.

“But it stung me.”

But again, not enough to ice Paul Gallen for the first time.

GALLEN STUNS UFC LEGEND, CALLS OUT EVEN BIGGER MMA STAR

—Jamie Pandaram

Paul Gallen called out UFC star Rob Whittaker after defeating former mixed martial artist Mark Hunt in a thrilling boxing bout.

Gallen prevailed with a unanimous points decision over six rounds, despite being rocked badly twice.

Hunt landed a right hander that wobbled Gallen in the second round, and then a huge left hook in the fourth that looked set to drop the NRL legend.

Paul Gallen and Mark Hunt went hammer and tongs in an incredible fight in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

But Gallen showed incredible tenacity to not only bounce back from those blows, but continue trading with the bigger man.

It was an epic tussle that destroyed any notion Gallen is not a bona fide boxer.

And, after claiming victory, Gallen declared: “I want Rob Whittaker”.

Gallen used excellent footwork and a strong jab to keep Hunt off him.

Gallen had a good first round, working Hunt’s body.

But Hunt’s power was felt in the second, and Gallen’s legs went jelly for a moment. He was laid up on the ropes but Hunt couldn’t connect a strong follow-up.

Gallen then stormed back in the third, bailing up Hunt in the corner and unloading a barrage of uppercuts and body shots.

The two alphas fought it out in the ring. Picture: Christian Gilles

Hunt’s power left hook sent Gallen reeling in the fourth as the Bankwest Stadium crowd erupted. Hunt continued with a fiery assault but Gallen somehow stayed on his feet.

Gallen’s fitness told in the sixth and final round as he outworked Hunt with jabs and combinations.

A late disaster was avoided, with the fight only cleared to go ahead at 7.20pm after it was set to be cancelled.

Gallen could not locate his blue book, which has all his medical clearance records, and no fighter can enter the ring without it.

Gal fought back after copping it early. Picture: Getty Images

The former NSW Origin captain desperately searched for it for two hours before arriving at Bankwest Stadium around 7pm, and was cleared to fight half an hour later.

The NSW Combat Sports Authority is extremely strict around the blue book policy and had threatened to cancel one of the most-hyped fights in Australia this year.

Hunt had his own issues with the Authority last week after they demanded he undergo concussion testing, given comments he made in 2017 regarding head knocks that resulted in his withdrawal from a UFC event.

Despite having fought seven times since, he had to undergo additional head scans.

The results of the scans were going to be posted in the mail too late for the event, so Hunt had to collect them from the office and provide them to the Authority.

A round of boos echoed within Bankwest Stadium as Gallen was shown entering the arena and ring, while Hunt drew huge cheers.