Barry Hall wants quick Curtis Scott KO to set up grudge match with Paul Gallen
AFL legend Barry Hall is primed to knockout former NRL star Curtis Scott, but the Sydney Swans great’s sights are set on a grudge match with Australia’s greatest prize-fighter: Paul Gallen.
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AFL legend Barry Hall is primed to knockout former NRL star Curtis Scott as the Sydney Swans great targets a grudge match with Australian boxing’s greatest prize-fighter Paul Gallen.
‘Big Bad Barry’ is returning to the professional sporting arena at age 47 when Hall takes on Scott in a heavyweight cross-code blockbuster this Wednesday night at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
Such has been the bad blood between the pair, the bout has been elevated to co-main event status on a Fox pay-per-view card that will see Sam Goodman moved a step closer to a world-title shot.
Goodman (18-0) is set to take on Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue if he disposes of Thailand’s Chainoi Worawut (25-0-1), but Hall’s showdown with Scott could produce the most fireworks.
Despite approaching 50, Hall is in tremendous shape at a rippling 103kg and wants to make a statement against Scott in his eventual plan for a rematch with Gallen.
“I’ve been in the gym quite a bit. It keeps my mental state where it should be. I have always been pretty active,” Hall said, who is 21 years older than Scott.
“Curtis called me out and here we are.
“The age doesn’t matter to me.
“I am in the gym sparring young bulls just like Curtis.
“I don’t need to do this, I don’t need to do this financially, this is for me and a challenge for me.
“Yes, it’s a bit of ego stuff to show what I can do, but I love boxing and I am constantly challenging myself.”
Hall is desperate to chalk up his first win in the ring after his embarrassing loss to Sonny Bill Williams, who stopped his AFL rivals in 115 seconds of disaster two years ago.
Before that loss to SBW, Hall fought his way to a controversial majority draw in 2019 against Gallen, who is adamant he won the right.
Gallen (15-2-1) retired from boxing in November 2022 after 18 pro fights, but Hall hopes an emphatic win over Scott will convince the former NSW Origin skipper to come out of retirement.
“Absolutely I want to fight Paul again,” Hall said.
“It was ruled a draw but it wasn’t, let’s be honest. Paul Gallen knows I won that fight. But he is the challenge I want.
“There are guys I have history with, but my first step is Curtis Scott. I’m not taking him lightly, I’m not looking to anyone else. I will deal with him and then the guys I have history with will be on my radar.
“Curtis Scott is my main target and I will knock him over.”
Hall’s Gold Coast-based trainer Fidel Tukel Scott could get a chilling lesson in much the same way as MMA heavyweight Francis Ngannou, who was ruthlessly knocked out by Anthony Joshua in March.
“People talk about (Francis) Ngannou and (Anthony) Joshua. Barry and Curtis will be exactly the same,” Tukel said.
“You’ve got a power guy in Ngannou that never had a chance with Joshua because Joshua can box.
“‘Baz’ has this talent that we’ve probably only ever seen in Anthony Mundine from a cross-code fighter.
“Curtis hasn’t got that same talent. Barry is in unbelievable shape and he will be the better boxer.”
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Originally published as Barry Hall wants quick Curtis Scott KO to set up grudge match with Paul Gallen
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