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Boxing lifts Gallen's spirits

Roar Guru
20th November, 2014
4

It’s called the sweet science, but Paul Gallen says boxing has also been a sweet distraction as he’s coped with the most turbulent period in his career.

Preparing to take on former Cronulla teammate Anthony Watts, Gallen said the training for his second career bout has been a major help in overcoming dual frustrations.

Suspended from rugby league after pleading guilty to taking peptides, the Test star compounded his woes with a drunken tweet, abusing NRL officials last month that cost him $35,000.

Gallen will face off against Watts on December 3 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, an undercard to Daniel Geale’s middleweight bout against Queenslander Jarred Fletcher.

“Boxing has been good for me while we’ve been on the ban,” he said on Thursday.

“It’s given me a focus to keep training and keep fit. It’s been a real positive for me.”

Gallen still stood by the sentiment behind his twitter spray which originally saw him slugged with a $50,000 fine for labelling NRL officials “c***” following the sacking of Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce.

But the NSW captain owned up to his mistake and revealed he and NRL boss Dave Smith had built a bridge and moved on after meeting privately to sort out their differences.

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“It was done behind closed doors and in a good way,” he said.

“He’s been all right, to be honest with you. He’s even sent me a text message or two.

“Life goes on, people make mistakes, I didn’t hurt anyone I swore. It’s a big fine but I’ve got to move on and cop it on the chin.”

Reportedly struggling to deal with depression when he sent the tweet while on holidays in Hawaii, Gallen said his mental health was fine.

The 33-year-old shared an open training session with Geale at Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley Gym ahead of their fight night which has been billed as State of Origin in the ring.

But Gallen scoffed at NSW-raised, Gold Coast-resident Watts’ new-found heritage.

“A few Queenslanders have been from NSW, probably their best player Greg Inglis,” he said. “That’s the way it is.”

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