‘Unheard of’: Gallen says SBW running scared from $8m superfight

Cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams has been offered millions to face former Cronulla captain Paul Gallen in the boxing ring.

Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams.

Former Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen has revealed he and cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams were offered $4 million each to fight twice in 2022.

On Wednesday, Gallen’s boxing record improved to 12-1-1 after he defeated ex-NRL player Darcy Lussick via a third-round TKO at Sydney’s Star Event Centre.

The 40-year-old peppered Lussick with body shots before the referee called the fight to a close 30 seconds into the third round.

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According to The Daily Telegraph, Gallen’s advisor Peter Mitrevski Jnr approached Williams’ team about the fight, but it has not been accepted by the New Zealander. A fight between the pair has been talked about for years, but so far nothing has eventuated — despite the tough talking from both camps.

Speaking to Main Event after his latest win, Gallen revealed he was going to “without a doubt” retire next year, regardless of what dual code international Williams decides.

“Unless it happens in the middle of next year, it won’t happen,” Gallen said. “We were offered $4 million each to fight twice next year, and it’s not happening. Why? That’s unheard of money. It’s ridiculous.

“We’re not doing it, the ball’s in his court.

“I’ve said for years, ‘Let’s do it’, but there’s going to come a time where I say, ‘No more”. And bet your bottom dollar that’s when he says, ‘Let’s do it’.”

Paul Gallen wins his fight against Darcy Lussick. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images

Lussick was the dominant fighter in the opening round of Wednesday’s bout, but Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech criticised him for holding Gallen around the neck while throwing punches.

“It’s illegal, he held him around the head and hit him,” Fenech said.

Gallen charged forward in the second before Lussick responded in kind, driving the former NSW skipper up against the ropes as he let his fists fly.

But Gallen replied with some seriously heavy uppercuts — he absorbed punishment but dished out big blows of his own and regained the ascendancy as Lussick looked like he was out on his feet.

A couple of brutal body shots from Gallen were followed by more uppercuts, and at the end of the second round he scored the first knockdown of the night. Another blow rocked Lussick badly and he wobbled before falling down just before the bell.

The former Manly forward was exhausted.

“I think they’ve got to stop this,” Fenech said. “He’s going to get hurt.”

Gallen won a $20,000 bonus for KO of the night but in a classy gesture, gave the cash away to Aussie fighters Harry Garside and Sam Goodman — who both won their bouts at The Star.

Earlier, former Wests Tigers star Joey Leilua left the ring with a message for his haters after he defeated Chris Heighington in a majority decision win.

Meanwhile, Freddy Lussick’s introduction to professional boxing was a vicious affair, with the 20-year-old young gun copping 89 blows to the head in four rounds.

Originally published as ‘Unheard of’: Gallen says SBW running scared from $8m superfight