Big surprises as Gallen speaks for final time before fight

Paul Gallen was put on the spot with a prickly question as his weigh-in on Tuesday took a number of surprising twists.

Paul Gallen and Kris Terzievski weigh in.

It’s business time for Paul Gallen as the NRL legend took a surprising back seat during the weigh-ins for his boxing blockbuster.

Gallen sensationally stormed out of his pre-fight press conference on Monday in an extraordinary stunt as he let rip at opponent Kris Terzievski.

The pair will settle their little squabble in the ring on Wednesday night in Newcastle with the Australasian heavyweight title on the line.

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Gallen’s stoic demeanour was just one of several surprises.

The former NSW State of Origin captain weighed in at 103.9kg — significantly heavier than the 99.4kg frame he carried ahead of his showdown with Justis Huni last year.

Gallen is also weighing in 2kg heavier than when he stopped Darcy Lussick in December.

The Aussie hardman’s surprise behaviour was highlighted by the moment he didn’t take the bait when asked a prickly question about his decision to walk out of the press conference.

After stepping off the scales, Main Event’s Ben Damon asked him: “What have you got for us today? Are you going to stick around?”

Paul Gallen and Kris Terzievski weigh in.

Gallen‘s response was simply focused on going through the motions of completing the required formalities before he gets in the ring.

It was left to his opponent to produce another flashpoint of friction between the two fighters.

When asked about Gallen’s storm off, Terzievski told the live weigh-in broadcast on Fox Sports: “I thought it was a bit cringey to be honest. I thought it was a bit scripted”.

Gallen responded to the comment before the pair faced-off for the final time before Wednesday’s fight, by congratulating him.

“It’s good. He’s learning. He’s learning to promote the sport and that’s what I got upset about yesterday.”

Gallen originally said he was ecstatic to be headlining the stacked fight card which also features Olympic bronze medallist Harry Garside and Nikita Tszyu.

He was filthy about being left to carry the promotional element for the fight.

“I’m really proud and grateful to be headlining this card,” Gallen said.

Paul Gallen storms out of the press conference.

“This is the best card I’ve ever been apart of. So to headline this act and put on a show means a hell of a lot to me.

“But one thing that’s frustrated the cr*p out of me the last 20 minutes sitting here is I’ve heard three or four blokes say about the publicity they’re going to get.

“Kris has done nothing to sell this fight. Nothing, not one thing. Didn’t turn up to the media the other day.

“There was more media at the media day the other day than at an NRL Grand Final. Didn’t turn up for it, didn’t fit in his schedule.

Paul Gallen didn’t stay long at his pre-fight press conference. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“So I’m not going to sit here for one more minute and f***ing promote him.”

In a theatrical move, Gallen got up from his chair and walked over to Terzievski on the other side of the stage and eyeballed his opponent as he let rip.

“I’ve got one thing to say before I go. Kris, you are a pretty boxer but Wednesday’s not going to be pretty,” he said.

“It’s going to be ugly, it’s going to be a street fight and I’m going to bash you. I’m not here to promote you for one more second.”

Gallen then dropped his microphone and proceeded to walk out of the venue, abruptly ending the press conference.

If Gallen beats Terzievski on Wednesday night, the former Cronulla Sharks star will become the first cross-code athlete to win a heavyweight boxing title.