Paul Gallen puts coaching hat on after belting Lucas Browne

Less than 24 hours after his stunning knockout of Lucas Browne, Paul Gallen was focused on coaching his son’s rugby league team not who his next opponent might be.

This is how Paul Gallen winds down after destroying the boxing career of Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne. He spends time being a dad.

Less than 24 hours after stunning the boxing world with his round-one knockout of the former WBA world heavyweight champion, Gallen was back coaching son Kody’s under-10s junior rugby league team from De La Salle Caringbah on Thursday afternoon.

The footy training session was the perfect tonic for Gallen following an intense 11-week fight preparation that delivered the ultimate reward.

“For more than two months, I gave everything I had towards being professional and well prepared for the fight against Lucas,” Gallen said.

Paul Gallen was back coaching his son’s under-10s rugby league team on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“I believe that if you want to achieve great things, you have to be willing to sacrifice things in your life. So for me to get back to training the under-10s, it was one of the first things I thought about after the fight.

“Out here, coaching the boys, I haven’t thought about sparring, boxing, it’s just good fun helping the boys who are all terrific kids.’’

Browne’s lengthy and largely successful career is almost certainly over.

As he pushed his young footy team through their paces, Gallen said he wouldn’t be considering his next move in the immediate future.

“I’m honestly tired of talking about boxing and really just want to switch off and be a dad,’’ Gallen said. “That’s how I feel.

Paul Gallen put his under-10s through their paces ahead of their first game next week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“The fight is done and what comes next can be weighed-up and considered at a later date.

“Right now, I’ve got to get these boys ready for their first game of the season next week.’’

As a result of his brutal takedown of Browne, Gallen is already being marked for a $1 million-plus payday by taking on Australian heavyweight champion, Justis Huni.

Huni’s promoter Dean Lonergan confirmed the Australian champion’s proposed showdown against Browne, slated for July, has been scrapped following ‘Big Daddy’s’ capitulation to Gallen.

Instead, the lucrative financial door has swung open for Gallen, with the Huni camp declaring “bring it on” as the parties prepare to ramp-up talks on a $2 million fight that has put the former NRL star within tantalising touching distance of the Australian heavyweight title.

Paul Gallen punished Lucas Browne on Wednesday night.

Huni, one of Australia’s hottest boxing prospects, is also heading to Tokyo in August to chase gold as an amateur at the Olympics.

Gallen (11-0-1, 6KO) has shocked the Australian boxing world with his ruthless disposal of the 117kg Browne and Lonergan said he would pocket more than $1 million by taking on Huni (3-0, 3KO).

“I am totally stunned by Paul Gallen, he has balls the size of watermelons,” Lonergan said.

“I have sent Paul a text message of congratulations. What he did was truly unbelievable.

“We had plans for Lucas Browne to fight Justis but in the wake of his performance last night, that won’t be happening. I spoke to Justis’ dad Rocky last night and he said if Gallen wants to do something, bring it on.

“We are finalising plans for Justis’ next fight against Christian Tsoye on May 26 and then Justis and his camp want one more fight before the Olympics and Paul Gallen comes into the frame for that.

Justis Huni could fight Paul Gallen before heading to the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Paul Gallen can get the biggest payday of his career by fighting Justis.

“I believe he can earn more than $1 million from fighting Justis so we will now look at making that happen.”

Gallen’s adviser Peter Mitrevski reached out to Lonergan last month proposing a showdown with Huni at Suncorp Stadium before Christmas this year.

But after Gallen sliced-and-diced Browne in 115 seconds of boxing brutality, the heavyweight bout with Huni is set to be expedited as Brisbane-born ‘JPH’ chases some stiffer competition after three easy wins to launch his professional career.

Despite Gallen’s heroic performance, Lonergan insists the 22-year-old Huni will destroy the former NSW Origin skipper.

“Paul is without doubt such a courageous athlete but there is simply no way he would beat a fighter of Justis’ quality,” he said.

“I will give him credit, what he has done in the past 12 months is outstanding and he can make millions out of boxing in the next few years.

“But he won’t win a round against Huni.

Paul Gallen celebrates after defeating Lucas Browne by TKO.

“It would be like Justis trying to be competitive in Gallen’s world in the NRL.

“Gallen has great courage, so if Justis is keen, which he seems to be, then we’ll get the parties together and talk.

“I don’t think Suncorp Stadium is a realistic option. Financially, it’s an expensive exercise, but Gallen and Justis can make more than $1 million by fighting out of a smaller venue so we’ll begin talks to make it happen.

“Unfortunately, Lucas has zero value after his performance last night and I’m sure he is bitterly disappointed at what he produced against Gallen.

“Unfortunately, he now has no currency for us in terms of presenting a test for Justis.”

Lonergan dismissed suggestions Gallen could one day fight for a world title.

“I think it’s a stretch too far to suggest he will win a world title,” he said.

“Paul is five-foot eleven, he has made a magnificent splash on the Australian scene but he would struggle to get a world-title shot overseas against world-class fighters.

“But there is no doubt he has profile in Australia and there is some upside in him going forward fighting Justis.”

Originally published as Paul Gallen puts coaching hat on after belting Lucas Browne