- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Former AFL star Barry Hall apologised to fans and his family after his devastating KO loss to Sonny Bill Williams, and predicted the ex-All Black would beat Paul Gallen if their long-awaited stoush eventuates.
SBW stormed to a brutal and comprehensive win inside two rounds of their fight on Wednesday night.
Williams then suggested the Gallen match up – which has been talked about for almost 10 years – was at least a possibility.
“There’s talk of Gallen, so maybe Gallen,” SBW said to rousing cheers from the crowd.
Williams was gracious about his fallen rival on Wednesday, saying: “There’s a reason why only one per cent of people do this type of stuff. So much respect for Barry and his team for coming in and doing this.”
But Hall was clearly downcast about his performance.
“I’m really disappointed obviously because I put in a lot of work, as he did, but I know all the fans out there will be disappointed,” Hall told reporters.
“I apologise. I apologise to my family because I feel like I’ve let everyone down.”
Hall, 45, had just one previous pro fight – a controversial draw with Gallen in 2019 which many thought the AFL player edged.
Sonny Bill Williams punches Barry Hall (Stan screenshot)
“One thing I can compare is I took Gallen’s punches,” Hall said.
“They certainly don’t have as much sting as Sonny Bill’s. I was a sitting duck tonight.
“I’d like to see them go at it, if I’m perfectly honest. I’d certainly be ringside. Going off tonight… I think I beat Paul Gallen, but you’d have to think Sonny Bill wins.
“He’s put in a lot of work, very dedicated, but styles make fights and both of their styles are totally different. It’d be very interesting but you’d have to say Sonny Bill at this stage.”
Hall said he was nervous befpore the fight “which is rare for me. The Paul Gallen fight I wasn’t nervous at all, so it’s a bit out of character. Maybe just the hype, the build-up, I don’t know what it was. But I just wasn’t myself today.”
Let’s get ready to rumble! Pick a fighter and place your bets with PlayUp for great odds. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Arman Tsarukyan was an angry man on his way out!
A bloodied Tim Tszyu has been cruelly denied in his quest to emulate his legendary father Kostya and become a unified world boxing champion…
Liam Wilson has suffered further heartbreak in Arizona, the Australian boxer losing his super-featherweight world-title fight against Mexican Oscar Valdez. In front of a…
Tim Tszyu has the chance to emulate his legendary father as a unified world boxing champion after the stakes were dramatically raised for his…
Australia's Alexander Volkanovski has lost his UFC featherweight title to Ilia Topuria, with the Spaniard scoring a stunning second round knockout in the main…
