Paul Gallen may face former AFL star Shane Mumford in next boxing bout

IT would be a tantalising cross-code bout in the ring between two of their sport’s hardest men, but former Sharks captain says he’s never heard of AFL premiership ruckman Shane Mumford.

Mumford v Gallen in the boxing ring?

SHARKS captain Paul Gallen has denied rumours he is set to jump in the ring to fight Shane Mumford despite the former AFL star eyeing a match-up.

Gallen, who led the Sharks to the 2016 NRL title, says he knows nothing of a proposed ‘clash of the codes’ boxing bout with Mumford.

But Mumford, now an assistant coach with the GWS Giants after retiring from the AFL last year, has been given a green light from his former club to try his hand in the ring.

The fight is expected to take place in the middle of this year, with details to be announced later this week.

“We’ve got no problem with it,” Giants football manager Wayne Campbell said.

When asked about the proposed fight, Gallen, the one-time hardman of the NRL, said he didn’t even know who Mumford was.

“Without being disrespectful, I don’t even know who Shane Mumford is,” Gallen said.

“I’ve had no phone call or any offer from anyone to fight. It’s all news to me.”

Shane Mumford spars the bag at training last year. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Paul Gallen trains at Southside Boxing Gym. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Mumford, who early in his career was best-known for his eating habits and love of devouring sausages, hasn’t fought previously with injury forcing his retirement from football late last year.

The three-club ruckman, who started his career with Geelong before winning a premiership with Sydney Swans and finishing his career with the Giants, was known for his physicality on the field throughout his 172-match career.

At 197cm Mumford would possess a significant height and reach advantage over Gallen (180cm).

Paul Gallen has made a good fist of boxing post his NRL career. Pic: Craig Greenhill

The 36-year-old Gallen extended his professional boxing record to 8-0 following a unanimous decision victory over Puna Rasaubale in November.

The one-time Sharks skipper won a six-round decision over the Fijian fighter, who was making his professional debut.

A long-mooted bout between Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams seems unlikely to eventuate but would still draw serious public interest.