Paul Gallen has issued a stark warning to Sonny Bill Williams ahead of their scheduled boxing bout on July 16, 2025 in Sydney...vowing "I will kill you" as tensions heated up.
The former NRL stars will go head to head on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney in a hugely anticipated showdown.
A confrontation earlier this month saw criticism over Gallen skipping a press conference, which SBW interpreted as disrespect to Polynesian heritage.
SBW accused Gallen of being dismissive, describing his mindset as “we can’t hold anything together… we’re just not the first to convey it the way that he does.”
Now the rivalry between the boxing contenders has escalated once again, with Gallen unleashing a cutting barb following SBW's training camp with world-class cruiserweight Jai Opetaia.
Gallen reacted to news of SBW’s recent training with champion Jai Opetaia and declared: “I will kill you…please try to fight like Jai Opetaia…it’ll last 30 seconds.
“I want to, I really want to hurt him to be honest…I don’t like the bloke, there’s nothing to like about him.”
Gallen’s provocation centers on SBW’s attempt to mimic Opetaia’s championship-level style after training alongside him on the Gold Coast.
Speaking on Nine’s Freddy and The Eighth show, Gallen added: “I’m 43…it’s tough at this age, to train at the intensity I used to…at the end of the day, I’ve got 16 minutes of work – that’s it.”
The fight marks Gallen’s return to boxing after nearly three years of retirement since making the switch to the ring.
Paul Gallen’s Boxing Record
Since turning to boxing after his rugby league career, Paul Gallen has built a rugged, credible reputation inside the ring.
His record stands at 15 wins, two losses, and one draw, with eight wins by knockout.
Notable performances include a brutal stoppage of former WBA champion Lucas Browne and a spirited 10-round war with Justis Huni in 2021, where Gallen showed immense resilience.
Gallen’s strengths lie in his toughness, aggressive style, and relentless pressure over short rounds.
Sonny Bill Williams’ Boxing Record
Sonny Bill Williams brings a unique hybrid career of rugby superstardom and selective boxing appearances.
He holds a 9-1 professional record, with four wins by knockout.
After several low-profile fights between 2009 and 2015, he returned in 2022 to defeat AFL star Barry Hall in a dominant first-round KO.
However, his last fight was a shock knockout loss to MMA fighter Mark Hunt and raised doubts about his ability to handle power punchers like Gallen.
Still, his physical condition, improved technique, and recent sparring with Opetaia suggest he’s leaving no stone unturned in this comeback.