Former NRL star Paul Gallen to consider ‘last hurrah’ comeback to ring against bitter rival Josh Aloiai

The man Paul Gallen once labelled a “dog and coward” is the bait to get the former NRL star out of boxing retirement – with the Cronulla and NSW legend eyeing unfinished business.

Former heavyweight champion Paul Gallen has been formally approached to make a shock comeback to boxing in a bitter bout against a Manly Sea Eagles star the Sharks legend once labelled a “dog and coward” – forward Josh Aloiai.

According to promoter No Limited’s chief executive Matt Rose: “It would be one last hurrah in the ring for ‘Gal’.”

Rose contacted Gallen a couple of days ago and asked that he consider a surprise return to boxing against Aloiai, the Manly and former Wests Tigers forward who played 22 NRL games this season.

The proposed bout would be held in late November and headline a card of fights for current and former rugby league players.

Gallen, 43, and Aloiai, who turns 29 on November 11, exchanged bitter barbs ahead of a planned eight, two-minute round fight in November, 2021, which was cancelled a fortnight out after Aloiai contracted Covid.

Paul Gallen has been formally approached to make a one-off boxing comeback. Photo: Getty Images

In the lead-up to the fight, Gallen called Aloiai a “dog and coward.”

“It’s unfinished business between ‘Gal’ and Josh,” said Rose, who is travelling to Orlando for Tim Tszyu’s fight against undefeated Russian champion Bakhram Murtazaliev this coming Sunday. “This was the fight Gallen wanted before he finished. ‘Gal’ was furious when the fight was called off.

“There was a big pre-fight war of words between the two and there’s still a lot of dislike between both camps.

“We have approached ‘Gal’ to make a comeback for one last hurrah in the ring. I rang ‘Gal’ personally a couple of days ago and fighting Aloiai is the bout we have put to ‘Gal’. This fight would get the attention of the sporting public.

“If ‘Gal’ is going to make a comeback, then we thought we’d get a fight with a bit of feeling and fighting Aloiai is a bout we hope to have (finalised) by the end of the year. ‘Gal’ is in Bali and said he would have a chat as soon as gets back.

Josh Aloiai could take on after their proposed 2021 bout was cancelled. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“This was a fight that was going to happen a couple of years ago but Josh contracted Covid and (former NRL forward) Darcy Lussick stepped in and fought ‘Gal’.”

No Limit hopes to have a venue, exact date and fighters nailed down over the next fortnight. Aloiai would need to secure approval for the fight from Manly.

Gallen retired from boxing in November, 2022, after 18 professional fights with a record of 15-2-1 (8 KOs). Aloiai’s prowess in the boxing ring while sparring is well-known throughout rugby league.

One former teammate said: “He’s a beast in the ring.”

“‘Gal’ always keeps himself in good nick, he will train forever. He is in great physical condition so it’s now a matter of whether he wants to get back into boxing. If he’s keen to do it, we’d be keen to put it on. He’s an exceptional athlete,” Rose said.

Paul Gallen throws a punch during the and Justin Hodges fight. The proposed Gallen-Aloiai fight would be on a similar NRL fight card. Photo: Getty Images

“We have reached out to Josh and he’s aware of the opportunity. Josh is a bit of an unknown but the word around is that he can well and truly hold his own. It would be quite intriguing. It’s the footy off-season so you have to do something.

“We are looking to have a night of NRL fights. We have done it before and the boys and fans enjoy it. It’s one we’re compiling now.”

After withdrawing from the first fight, Aloiai took a hefty swipe at Gallen, declaring: “Multiple people from his inner circle told me Gallen’s relieved about the replacement (Lussick) because he was more uneasy than they’ve ever seen him leading into a fight.”

Gallen, whose only two defeats came against full-time professional heavyweights Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski, once claimed he earned $25m from boxing.

He said: “The general boxing fan still says I’m no good for the sport. Well, the fact is I am good for the sport. I bring attention, I bring eyeballs.”

Gallen stopped Lussick by third-round TKO.