Paul Gallen arrives late after last-minute drug test drama

Paul Gallen has made a late threat to pull the plug just hours out from his showdown with Lucas Browne after a drug test ultimatum.

Paul Gallen is back in the ring.

Paul Gallen finally arrived at WIN Entertainment Centre for his blockbuster showdown with Lucas Browne after huge, last-minute drug test drama.

The former NRL star is reported to have threatened to refuse to make the walk to the ring in Wollongong on Wednesday night unless he was given proof that Browne had been drug tested.

Gallen has repeatedly needled Lucas Browne for months about the former heavyweight champion’s drug ban.

Browne tested positive to banned weight-reducing drug clenbuterol in 2016 and was stripped of his world title.

Watch Paul Gallen v Lucas Browne only on Main Event on Wednesday 21 April at 7pm AEST. ORDER NOW >

It emerged on Wednesday night just hours out from the fight that Gallen won’t walk out for the fight unless an agreement can be reached for mandatory drug testing to be conducted.

Gallen’s promoter Matt Rose confirmed the friction on Wednesday.

“Given Browne has tested positive twice before we understand why Gallen has been adamant that testing be conducted and we’re doing everything we can to guarantee that will happen,” Rose told Fox Sports.

Paul Gallen speaks to the media during the weigh in.

“There’s been issues with the gloves and we’ve been busy trying to get new pairs flown in from around the country but we are still confident we will be able to facilitate the testing tonight and ensure both parties are clean.”

Rose told The Daily Telegraph drug testing is mandatory and has been agreed to by both fighters in their fight contracts.

He is also reported to have said drug testing agents will not conduct their tests with the fighters until after the fight.

Even if the tests are conducted before the fight, no analysis of the samples could be completed for several days.

Gallen’s involvement in the fight was still uncertain when he arrived at the venue two hours after Browne was first spotted in his dressing room.

Gallen finally showed up just before 8pm (AEST).

Where is the fight?

The highly anticipated fight will take place at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on the NSW south coast.

When does it start?

The fight is tonight, Wednesday April 21. The preliminary card starts at 6pm local time, while the main card kicks off at 7pm.

Picking the exact timing of a headline fight is always guesswork, but Gallen and Browne are expected to enter the ring for the main event at around 9.45pm.

How to watch

The Gallen-Browne fight night is available only on Main Event, with options for it to be ordered on Foxtel or via a Kayo account.

Watch Paul Gallen v Lucas Browne only on Main Event on Wednesday 21 April at 7pm AEST. ORDER NOW >

The event is $59.95.

The undercard is available on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo but the coverage will shift to Main Event for the main card.

Can’t wait for this one.

Full card

Paul Gallen vs Lucas Browne: Heavyweight, 6 x 3 minute rounds

Liam Wilson vs Francis Chua: Super Featherweight, 10 x 3m rounds

Jack Brubaker vs Stevie Spark: Welterweight, 8 x 3m rounds

Kye MacKenzie vs Bruno Tarimo: IBF International Super Featherweight Title, 10 x 3m rounds

Leonardo Zappavigna vs Danny Kennedy: Welterweight, 8 x 3m rounds

Undercard

Tyler Sargent Wilson vs Steven Rados: Super Middleweight, 4 x 3m rounds

Jackson Murray vs Webster Teaupa: Heavyweight, 4 x 3m rounds

Viviana Ruiz Corredor vs Rebecca Moss: Super Flyweight, 4 x 3m rounds

Tale of the tape

Paul Gallen

Gallen has been talking the talk.

Age: 39

Height: 180cm

Weight: 102.2kg

Reach: 1.77m

Record: 11 fights – 10 wins (5 KO), 1 draw

Last Three Fights:

– 16 December 2020 – Win vs Mark Hunt (unanimous decision)

– 15 November 2019 – Draw vs Barry Hall (Majority draw)

– 8 February 2019 – Win vs John Hopoate (2nd round KO)

Lucas Browne

Age: 42

Height: 196cm

Weight: 117.08kg

Reach: 196cm

Record: 31 fights – 29 wins (25 KO), 2 losses

Last Three Fights:

– 9 November 2019 – Win vs John Hopoate (2nd round TKO)

– 20 April 2019 – Loss vs David Allen (3rd round KO)

– 2 March 2019 – Win vs Kamil Sokolowski (Unanimous decision)

Browne is a former World Champion.

Odds

Browne is a $1.63 favourite with the TAB, and Gallen isn’t too far behind at $2.25.

The most popular method of result is a KO, TKO or disqualification to Browne at $2.75, while Gallen by decision is $4.

Originally published as Paul Gallen arrives late after last-minute drug test drama