Sonny Bill Williams promises to give fellow NRL great Paul Gallen a “hiding” in anticipated bout

“We were right down to the final wire when he came back and changed the goalposts, he said he wanted 70 per cent [of the takings] and you get 30,” Williams said.

“I don’t know why he’s come [back] after three years, it’s quite weird, it’s quite suspicious.

“I still want bragging rights, I still want to give him a good hiding. He talks too much, I’m going to smash his face.”

Sonny Bill Williams on Paul Gallen

“For three years it’s no-go, and now all of a sudden it’s ‘let’s fight’.

“When I was a rugby player, I was travelling the world, playing different countries and in Australia there was always the voice of Mr Paul Gallen, ‘He’s running away, he’s doing this and that.’

“When it aligns, it aligns and it aligns now. We’re going to fight, I’m still excited. I’m actually overjoyed.

“Long story short, we’re here, it’s happening. We’re going to fight, I’m going to give him a hiding.

“Hopefully, he doesn’t get jelly feet in the next 12 weeks.”

One of the sticking points was the length of the rounds, with the parties belatedly agreeing to eight two-minute rounds.

“The biggest-grossing fight over the last five years was Jake Paul and Mike Tyson – that was two-minute rounds,” Williams said.

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“Who really cares, we’re going to fight. Worry about the macro, not the micro.”

Gallen labelled Williams a “fraud”, claiming his boxing record was inferior and padded with wins against older, fading opponents. Asked to respond, Williams said: “Great work, congratulations, He’s copped a few too many punches already. At the end of the day, it’s on, and we’ll find out.

Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.