Hall eyes SBW
If he beats Gallen ...
IF Aussie Rules legend Barry Hall causes a massive upset and beats Paul Gallen in a boxing bout tomorrow, he’d be happy to replace Gallen and fight Sonny Bill Williams next year.
It’s been reported Williams — who has completed his All Blacks career and signed for the Toronto Wolfpack rugby league team on Friday in a $10 million-plus deal — and Cronulla Sharks stalwart Gallen will fight for a $4 million purse in October next year.
But that fight is reportedly conditional on Gallen maintaining his unbeaten record. He has won nine bouts so far.
Hall, 42, and Gallen, 38, square off in the ring in a Code Wars bout at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne (9pm NZT Friday).
Hall told the Daily Telegraph if he does cause an upset, he would be open to a fight with Williams.
“I’ll fight anyone. It doesn’t bother me too much. I’m certainly not going to look past Friday night, though.”
He said he has met Williams several times and respects his boxing record.
“Anyone who jumps in the ring and puts it on the line has got my respect,” Hall told the Daily Telegraph.
“He’s done that. He’s one of the best athletes in the world and seems to be the sort of guy that could turn his hand to anything. He could play table tennis if he wanted to. He’s a nice fella too.”
The Daily Telegraph reported earlier that Williams has a clause in his Toronto Wolfpack contract which will allow him to fight Gallen in October. Hall is considered one of AFL’s great forwards. He played for St Kilda, Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs during a career. He captained the Swans in their 2005 grand final win and was the first player to kick 100 goals for three AFL teams.