Sonny Bill Williams holding up Aussie super-fight as fellow ex-NRL star Paul Gallen signs on

The superstar showdown between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams is back on the cards. After more than a decade of negotiations, the fight is now closer than ever. Full details inside.

Paul Gallen has officially agreed to financial terms for a long-awaited boxing match with Sonny Bill Williams, but is frustrated at Williams’ demands for the heavyweight blockbuster.

Both men stand to make more than a million dollars for a fight 10 years in the making, with plans for the bout to be held a week after State of Origin 3, on July 16 at the ICC Sydney in Darling Harbour.

Gallen has agreed to come out of retirement, but is adamant the bout should be fought over eight three minute rounds.

Williams’ side initially demanded eight two minute rounds, before suggesting two-and-a-half minute rounds.

Paul Gallen throws a punch at fellow ex-NRL star Justin Hodges in 2022. Picture: Getty

A source close to the Gallen camp told this masthead the State of Origin winning captain won’t relent on any fight between them being contested over the standard three minute rounds.

“He doesn’t want to disrespect the sport of boxing, and doesn’t want to short-change the fans,” the source said.

“Sonny Bill was good enough to fight three minute rounds against Frans Botha and Mark Hunt, why won’t he fight three minute rounds against Gallen? Is he scared?”

Gallen initially wanted a 10-round fight, but has agreed to an eight round bout.

Williams and Gallen have been linked to a money-spinning mega-fight for more than a decade, but have never been this close to making it official.

Sonny Bill Williams is yet to be locked in for the fight. Picture: Getty Images

Williams has a 9-1 record and owns a win over former heavyweight world champion and one-time Mike Tyson opponent Frans Botha.

After a six year boxing hiatus, the dual international returned to the ring in 2021, going on to score a stunning first round knockout over AFL legend Barry Hall.

He hasn’t fought since a November 2022 knockout loss to UFC pioneer Mark Hunt in Sydney.

Length of rounds has been a frequent sticking point in Gallen’s fighting career, with his controversial draw with Hall in 2019 contested over six two-minute rounds.

Sonny Bill Williams lost a fight against powerhouse Mark Hunt three years ago. Picture: Getty

It is widely believed Gallen would have won the bout if the standard three minute rounds were in play.

While Williams fell to a thunderous fourth round knockout to Hunt, Gallen kick-started the best run of his boxing career with an upset unanimous decision win over the one-time UFC heavyweight title challenger.

Gallen caused a stunning boilover five months later when he knocked out former heavyweight champion Lucas Browne in one round.

The only two losses on his professional record are in Australian heavyweight title fights opposite Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski.