Paul Gallen’s boxing record: Padded or proof he’s a legit pro?

Paul Gallen says his undefeated pro boxing record stacks up but has it come against legitimate opponents — or by fighting tomato cans?

Most rugby league fans have been following Paul Gallen’s foray into boxing from the start — but for the AFL audience now interested because he’s fighting Barry Hall he’s an unknown.

Gallen is 9-0 with five knockouts since his debut in 2014. He’s been limited to a fight or two each NRL off-season, except for last year when he didn’t fight ahead of what was his last season of rugby league.

RELATED: Ultimate guide to Gallen-Hall

Ahead of Friday night’s Code War event in Melbourne, we’ve rewatched all of Gallen’s fights available online to gauge just how good he is — and provided a verdict on his chances against Hall.

1. Herman Ene-Purcell — Record at time: 1-1 Record now: 16-8

Paul Gallen’s boxing career was almost over before it started.

Gallen almost bit off more than he could chew on debut. Ene-Purcell was raw and not in particularly good shape but the chin and power that have seen him become an Australasian champion were there and he put Gallen down with a left hook in the opening round. The then NSW Origin captain showed his superior fitness — and heart — by rallying in the second. He took advantage of Ene-Purcell’s arrogant offer of a couple of free shots at his head to grab momentum and force a stoppage. It was a creditable victory in a highly-entertaining fight.

2. Anthony Watts — Record at time: 1-0 Record now: 1-1

Anthony Watts had a reputation as one of the bad boys of the NRL but his ability in the ring wasn’t quite as fearsome. Watts knocked out Nick Williamson in his debut a month before he faced Gallen but so did everyone else Williamson (0-6) ever fought. Watts hit Gallen early with a solid shot but after several wild swings from both men the bout ended in anticlimactic scenes after less than 90 seconds when Watts’ shoulder popped out. It certainly wasn’t one for Gallen’s highlight reel.

Anthony Watts knocked out Nick Williamson in 29 seconds.

3. Randall Rayment — Record at time: 1-0 Record now: 9-5

Rayment was 7-1 as an MMA fighter but had only boxed once professionally before meeting Gallen in a four-rounder that went the distance. Gallen won on points, showing against a man known as the “Limb Reaper” and perhaps the most similar in size to Hall of any of Gallen’s former foes that he could get on the inside and find a way to score against a rangy opponent. Rayment is one of only four men who have gone the distance with rising cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia and has challenged for WBO and WBA Asia Pacific titles so Gallen’s victory checks out as a positive on review.

Paul Gallen throws a right at Randall Rayment. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

4. Bodene Thompson — Record at time: Debut Record now: 0-1

Thompson, who hasn’t fought professionally since squaring off with Gallen, provided some awkwardness as a southpaw with long arms but didn’t really have a jab and fell in to the trap of loading up on all his punches — predominantly lead uppercuts. While you couldn’t fault the Kiwi’s toughness, his fitness was inferior to Gallen’s and despite not enjoying his finest night the Aussie scored well to the body late in the fight to make it four from four.

5. Herman Ene-Purcell — Record at time: 7-4 Record now: 16-8

Purcell had won five of six fights when he coaxed Gallen into a rematch but there would be no revenge. All three judges had Gal ahead 30-26 when Purcell’s corner threw in the towel with one minute remaining in round four.

Paul Gallen trades with Junior Paulo. Picture: Craig Greenhill

6. Junior Paulo — Record at time: Debut Record now: 0-1

Another rugby league star who fought Gallen and then never fought again, Paulo actually had the Sharks star in a spot of bother after clipping him a few times late in the second round. But like he did after being floored by Ene-Purcell, Gallen showed the courage to fight his way out of trouble. It was all Gallen in the third and final round as he took a unanimous decision.

7. Ryan Carr-Ketu — Record at time: 2-0 Record now: 2-1

Carr-Ketu was another converted mixed martial artist who fell to Gallen in an untelevised bout in Cronulla. The Queenslander began well but quickly became overwhelmed by Gallen’s pressure. Gallen was in great nick after capping a long NRL season with a premiership and winning against Paulo just a fortnight earlier and got his man out of there in the fourth round. Carr-Ketu hasn’t fought since.

Paul Gallen dropped Ryan Carr-Ketu. Picture: Mark Evans

8. Puna Rasaubale — Record at time: Debut Record now: 0-1

Rasaubale represented Fiji in the Commonwealth Games as an amateur but didn’t find the professional ranks to his liking. He took Gallen to six rounds but lost on all three cards, 60-53, 59-55 and 59-54, and had a point deducted after launching an MMA-style spinning backfist in the fourth.

9. John Hopoate — Record at time: 12-5 Record now: 12-7

This money grab didn’t tell us a lot about Gallen’s improvement as a fighter because at 45, Hopoate was well past it when they met in February this year. A positive spin could not Gallen blasted the ex-NRL villain out inside two rounds — the same time it took former heavyweight titlist Lucas Browne when he fought Hopoate last weekend.

Paul Gallen leaves John Hopoate out on his feet. (AAP Image/Jeremy Piper)

Verdict: There’s been the odd easybeat but as far as early professional careers go Gallen has challenged himself. “I don’t think anyone can bag who I’ve fought,” Gallen wrote in a piece for the Athletes Voice. “I’ve only ever gone up against professional athletes or people with more combat sports experience than myself.” Most of the boxing world has him favoured to defeat Hall and his record against taller foes, his unquestioned heart and toughness and his edge in age, fitness and experience should prove the difference. Gallen via TKO/KO.