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Gallen Beats SBW in Long-Awaited Bout

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, JUL 16 – Williams was penalized for holding, leading to a split decision where two judges favored Gallen by narrow margins in a fight settling their long-standing rugby rivalry.

  • Paul Gallen defeated Sonny Bill Williams by split points decision in their July boxing match at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena.
  • The fight was a long-awaited grudge bout between two former rugby league rivals, scheduled for eight two-minute rounds to settle a 10-year feud.
  • Williams was deducted a point for persistent holding and threatened with disqualification by referee Les Fear, while Gallen felt he lost one to two rounds but secured a win.
  • Two judges scored the match 77-74 and 76-75 in favor of 43-year-old Gallen, while the third judge favored Williams 77-74, leading to a close split decision victory for Gallen, who disclosed that he had contracted COVID shortly before the bout.
  • Gallen announced his retirement and expressed relief, stating he was happy to end the feud and accepting Williams' invite for coffee, though Williams declined post-fight interviews and felt robbed of the win.
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NZ Herald broke the news in Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
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