Paul Gallen says he’s “amazed” by the “below the belt” comments made by Sonny Bill Williams, after the former All Black labelled the former Sharks captain a “narcissist”.
Williams confirmed he will box on and is mulling potential opponents after his KO loss to Mark Hunt, while saying “nothing is off the table” in regards to a possible blockbuster bout with Gallen.
During his chat with The Sydney Morning Herald, Williams said “he can’t stand” Gallen and the former NSW skipper is a “narcissist”.
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In what could be viewed as an attempt to lure Gallen, whose fights have grossed $25 million over the last three years, out of retirement, the NRL great told Wide World of Sports, Williams has “no right” to judge him as a person, and that if they ever fought, he should get the “lion’s share” of the earnings from the fight.
The money split was a major hurdle between the two parties in their brief negotiations, with Williams’ camp insisting the Kiwi take home 60 per cent. That’s never going to happen, says Gallen.
“He says he’s the drawcard and it’s a payday for everyone else. There’s no way I’m fighting him unless I get the lion’s share. I’m the one coming out of retirement, I’m the one who’s had bigger fights,” Gallen told Wide World of Sports.
Gallen slams ’embarrassing’ Hodges
“I don’t know what to make of it all. As a person who feels he’s so holy and nice I’m just amazed by his comments.
“I’ve never passed judgement on him as a person. The worst thing I’ve said about him is he’s scared of fighting me.
“The only time I called him dumb is when he said I’m not a good person. Who is he to judge anyone as a person? He’s got no right to do that, no one does. I think people are sick of it. It’s bullshit.”
Gallen’s last fight was in November, a unanimous decision win over former Maroons centre Justin Hodges. The premiership-winning Cronulla captain, 41, said Williams’ tactics are predictable.
“(In) November 2021 I said he’s going to wait until I’m too old and past it and then he’ll call me out. He reads like a book man, it’s so obvious,” Gallen said.
“I’m retired. Realistically, if we fight, when are we going to fight? June? July? August? I’m 41 now, I’ll be 42 then.
“At his age I still played in the NRL. I couldn’t play in the NRL today, neither could he.
“My main thing is I’ve never gone below the belt with the guy and he wants to get personal. He says I’m not a good person (and) I’m a narcissist. It contradicts what he thinks he’s about.”
Williams and Gallen have traded shots at each other for a decade without ever agreeing to an anticipated multi-million dollar fight. When asked about a possible bout with Gallen, Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald he has little time for Gallen.
Sonny Bill Williams’ challenge to Paul Gallen
“I can’t really stand him, the narcissistic type of man,” Williams said.
“For me, those types of guys aren’t in my circle. It’s not that I don’t respect what he has done in the sport, but as a man, I wouldn’t ever say we would be friends or let a guy like that in my circle.
“Am I willing to give him a hiding and make some money off it? Of course. But he’s retired, so good on him. He’s done well, he has come out and said he has made all this money and whatever it is, so good on him.
“I respect what he has done in the game, he has been a toiler who has made a lot of money out of boxing through hard work.”
When asked if a deal could be made between the two parties, Williams added: “It’s not as simple as that. I don’t need him. I have my Creator, I don’t need anyone.
“What I’m saying is nothing is off the table when it comes to this space. Any good plan, you’ve got to be versatile in your thinking, you can’t be set in stone. What I would say is I don’t need any of these guys.
“I am my own man, I wake up and the first thing I do is put my head on the ground and say thank you to my Creator for everything I’ve done and have. I’m my own man, I’m not chasing anyone or any fights. I’m just saying part of my journey and growth is getting back into the ring.”
Williams hinted he may retire after the loss to the MMA legend in November but the dual-code superstar said he’ll return to training after the end of Ramadan in about a month.
He did not rule out a rematch with Hunt as he looks to rebuild his career in the ring.
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