‘Be a man’: Paul Gallen calls outs Sonny Bill Williams after Jai Opetaia’s criticism

Paul Gallen has put bitter rival Sonny Bill Williams firmly under the magnifying glass after the pair were called out by boxing world champion Jai Opetaia.

Paul Gallen has reignited his war of words with Sonny Bill Williams over the length of the rounds in their heavyweight boxing match.

Gallen’s comments come after reading criticism from Jai Opetaia in this masthead on Sunday, with the cruiserweight world champion labelling the fight’s two-minute rounds “soft.”

In a blockbuster a decade in the making, Gallen and Williams will finally step into the ring on July 16 for an eight-round main event contested over two minute rounds.

One of the major sticking points in getting the fight across the line was the length of the rounds, with Gallen demanding the traditional three-minutes and Williams’ camp reportedly wanting two-minutes.

Speaking to Code Sports last week, IBF cruiserweight world champ Opetaia had just one criticism of the heavyweight stoush.

Sonny Bill Williams will fight Paul Gallen in July. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“You can quote me on this in the paper – and it’s not an attack, I’m taking the piss – but two minute rounds is soft, bro,” Opetaia laughed. “Two minute rounds? Come on.

“That’s my only thing.

“If you want to put on a big time main event, well, boxing is three minute rounds.”

Gallen agrees, and responded to Opetaia’s comments on Sunday.

“I woke up this morning to the king of the cruiserweight division, Jai Opetaia, calling mine and Sonny Bill Williams’ fight ‘soft’ – well he’s one hundred percent correct,” Gallen said. “Sonny, you’re happy to tell everybody you’re a better athlete than me, that you’re a better boxer and you’re gonna give me a hiding.

“Well, mate, let’s do it properly. Boxing’s fought over three minute rounds.

“It’s a main event on a big card. Put some respect into our fight and let’s do it over three-minute rounds.

“I’m happy to change the contract, mate. I’m happy to go to eight threes.

“Let’s get it done. Be a man.”

Paul Gallen has called out Sonny Bill Williams.

This masthead reported in March that Gallen had agreed to financial terms for a seven-figure payday for a clash with Williams, but had been frustrated at the former Roosters premiership winner’s demands.

Williams’ camp reportedly wanted two, or even two-and-a-half minute rounds, which stalled negotiations.

Williams has a 9-1 record and owns a win over one-time Mike Tyson opponent Frans Botha, but hasn’t fought since his fourth round TKO loss to Mark Hunt in November 2022.

Gallen’s most recent bout was a decision win over Justin Hodges the same month, with the Cronulla and New South Wales legend claiming victories over Hunt and former heavyweight world champion Lucas Browne.

Originally published as ‘Be a man’: Paul Gallen calls outs Sonny Bill Williams after Jai Opetaia’s criticism