NSW Origin rugby league captain Paul Gallen has made it two wins from as many professional fights after a dislocated shoulder forced an anti-climactic first-round end to his heavyweight bout with former Cronulla Sharks teammate Anthony Watts.
The bout at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night lasted 88 seconds before referee Mick Heafey called it off because Watts was unable to continue.
Gallen, 33, landed the first few blows of the bout but then got caught by a good shot from Watts, who won his only previous pro boxing match in 29 seconds.
Gallen quickly reasserted himself and tagged Watts with some shots.
Both men threw more punches before Watts, who was only released on bail from prison 16 weeks ago after spending three months behind bars following his role in a Queensland bikie brawl, pulled away in obvious distress.
“We ripped in for a minute,” Gallen said.
“He did get me with a good shot.”
Gallen who was in hospital last week after he contracted a golden staph infection in his groin, said he felt good despite the setback to his preparations.
“I was relaxed the whole time (during the fight), I felt fine.” Gallen said.
He said he wanted to have another fight early next year before the start of the 2015 NRL season.
Queensland cruiserweight Mark Flanagan and Victorian super middleweight Jake Carr each retained their respective national titles with a unanimous points win over a NSW challenger.
Flanagan overcame Shane Quinn on the way to retaining his strap, while Carr shaded previously unbeaten Renold Quinlan in a fight featuring plenty of exciting inside exchanges.
What’s your best bet? For great odds on all your favourite sports check out PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
It’s a pretty good time to be a Tasmanian sports fan right now. After years in the sporting wilderness with not much to celebrate,…
Olympic swimming legend and Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins has warned that "someone will die" if a multi-sport event that allows athletes to…
In 2015 when heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko, the fighter regarded by many as the ‘Greatest of all time’ in the sport,…
Join Australia's most vibrant online sports community and you have the chance to win $1000. The Roar is the perfect blend of sports reporting,…
Here is a review of our boxers who made a splash in the world rankings over the past year.
After intense debate at Roar HQ, we’ve selected the 23 most controversial moments for 2023.
