Australian rugby league hardman Paul Gallen showed again he may have a future in the ring after his playing days are over as he defeated All Blacks loose forward Liam Messam in a charity boxing bout in Auckland.
Gallen, who four-time world champion Danny Green believes could make the grade as a professional boxer, won a split decision against Messam over three two-minute rounds.
Rugby league also won the second battle of the codes bout with Gallen’s international teammate Sam Thaiday beating Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna.
Last year 32-year-old Gallen easily dispatched former All Black Hika Elliot at the Fight for Life event, but found things tougher going against Messam who had beaten Wendell Sailor in 2011.
The 29-year-old All Black found it hard to tag the Australian until the final round when a right hand found its mark to rock the Cronulla captain.
But Gallen steered clear of the knockout punch Messam needed to win the bout after the flanker was outpointed in the opening two rounds.
“He keeps coming forward … I couldn’t really hit him,” Messam said.
The fight was the showcase of the event, raising funds for children’s charity KidsCan, but earlier Kangaroos international Thaiday gave away more than 31kg and six years to Tameifuna who had broken the jaw of a sparring partner in training.
The 28-year-old Broncos forward avoided that fate and the judges ruled unanimously in his favour despite being caught by some stinging shots from the 144kg Tameifuna.
“It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done and I have a new-found respect for boxers,” the Rugby League World Cup-winner said.
In the battle between former international cricketers, Chris Cairns put the controversy of being the subject of an investigation into alleged match-fixing by the International Cricket Council to one side to beat Simon Doull in a unanimous decision.
Cairns, who lost 20kg in shaping up for the fight, alluded to the probe after the bout but it was Doull who made specific mention of the allegation that came to light last week.
“Innocent until proven,” he said.
Sky television presenter Stephen McIvor and Fairfax journalist Steve Kilgallon drew the opening bout of the evening.
Banana Bob
Guest
Rah Rah's too soft again. Found out in the ring where you can't hide. All Blacks would get the same towel up if they dared to step on the pitch against the Kangaroos. Line up the ambulances....
jakethemus
Guest
Obviously you didn't see the spring international friendlys. Oh and the last rwc held in little old nz where they only have 1 stadium with capacity over 40k managed an average of 28-29k per game, thats over48 games, not just 2-3. Then you have world wide audience,lets just leave it there ay .
jakethemus
Guest
Oh did I touch a nerve, little girl.
karlmack
Guest
What can you hear me, muppet.
Big Tommy
Guest
Nobody watched lol. 75,000 full house at one of the most famous stadiums in the world. 68,000 at Wembly the week before. Remind me what was the biggest crowd at the last RWC lol.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Yes little girl, now run along please.
snail
Guest
We hardly play the game and we made the final what a joke mungo ball is. All blacks 100million sponsorship kangeroos joke.
jakethemus
Guest
Obviously you don't care about Australian news either because theres been abit about the nrl on the news lately. But who cares noone cares sbout league its just so small just look at the rwc. we almost won the thing for crying out loud and we only have about a tenth of yhe players know thats s joke
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Karlhack, you sound like a special needs person.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
I think you'll find the All Hacks have the most criminal records. Just because scandal news about union is non existent in Australia cos 1. we couldn't care less about NZ news, and 2. care even less about NZ union, doesn't mean news stops being filted thru. It is surprising, or not, that union players are more dirty than their league counterparts but perceptions are very well handled by the oldboy network.
Banana Bob
Guest
Kiwis lost again
jakethemus
Guest
Tamefuna hasn't played for the All Blacks,and if you watched the fight he should of won. By the way we'll done on the world cup that no body watched, who are the kangaroos again?
Banana Bob
Guest
Kangaroos 2 - All Blacks 0 That about sums it up (and I'm being generous)
COMIN IN FROM THE SIDE
Guest
too right
COMIN IN FROM THE SIDE
Guest
Ranger is a softie for wearing headgear..
Marldon
Guest
Yep, those illegal drugs are working well aren't they
karlmack
Guest
Thats gold
Nostradamus
Guest
Albo has gone missing...
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ben's hands were a lot quicker than I thought they would be. Good effort both fighters.
Nostradamus
Guest
Albo I assume you are an NRL fan who looks within the borders of NSW and Qld - NRL players are tougher because they play a collision sport whereas Rugby forwards need to scrimmage, ruck, maul, tackle, jump, pass, catch and only occasionally fight...