Paul Gallen versus Justin Huni is the biggest fight in Australian boxing this year. It’s not Tim Tszyu versus Michael Zerafa or even George Kambosos’ tilt at the lineal lightweight crown.
Despite being contested at a lower level, the biggest domestic showpiece will be staged between a 39-year-old retired footballer and a 22-year-old who turned pro eight months ago.
Paul Gallen said, “I’m about having a go, having a crack, and setting an example of what you should do. This is the thing that gets me about life in general. When you’re an adult all you do is hang shit on people and have a go at people.”
“I’m here to try and get that out of people’s mentality. And that’s going out there and having a dead-set go. If I win, I win, which I have done nothing but win so far and if you lose, you lose and brush yourself off and go again.”
“That’s my attitude in life, it was my attitude in my rugby league career. It’s my attitude in my boxing right now and I’ll be well prepared to get it done on June 16.”
Paul Gallen spars with his trainer during an open training session at Kostya Tszyu’s Gymnasium on January 21, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
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Whenever Gallen’s name is mentioned in relation to boxing, it evokes some common responses. Casual sports fans see it as a gimmick, a sideshow, and hardcore fight fans perceive him as an outsider.
Gallen’s objectives in the ring have always been transparent. He’s a prizefighter. He’s there to put on interesting fights and collect the biggest purse, not chase world titles or ranking points. But he takes the sport seriously and always shows up in shape.
