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.”
me
Guest
What do you mean? Barry Hall coward punched that guy who was lying down that time. And coward pushed that guy looking the other way and so many more coward punches. In Southern Australian Rules terms, he's better than the world heavyweight boxing champion and MMA champion put together.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
No he's not, but at least he did hold the NZ heavyweight title, that even both Hall & Gallen, can't even talk about. In fact when has Australia, even had a world heavyweight title holder as the Kiwi's have had, in their two??
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Celebrity boxer like Gallen??? What titles has he held in Australia, besides nothing, like Hall?? At least SBW was a ex Kiwi heavyweight champ, who relinquished his title to a future world heavyweight champ, in Joseph Parker. As we know he's the mate of the now world champ, Tyson Fury.
MrTimnaik
Roar Rookie
Let SBW fight Gallen. If this fight was any indication Aussie fight fans will still pack out the arena. Sonny is athletic and has some power but Gallen is tougher than an iron brick so it should be a good match up. If Justice Huni could get Gallen out of there until very late I don't think SBW will fare any better. Trust me Gal is teak tough and he would definitely get his licks in.
Simoc
Guest
It's not easy money but SBW is not a world class heavy weight boxer so celebrity fights are the right call for him. Certainly he can go a few rounds with good fighters but not 12 or 15 rounds. Hall doesn't look like a boxer at all.
me too
Roar Rookie
Time aint waiting for SBW - no point a man of his talent wasting it fighting a celebrity boxer like Gallen unless he's only interested in easy money.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Honestly Roar, it was always going to be a one sided affair!!! SBW was an ex NZ Heavyweight Champ, & tell me what titles Hall ever had, let alone Gallen? SBW did turn down the challenge of David Tua, when he had the NZ title, & relinquished it, when Joseph Parker came on the scene. AS it turned out, he was training in the UK, with both Parker & Tyson Fury, prior to this exhibition. Both of those good mates have had a hand in the world titles, with Fury now, the holder. To even consider Gallen, now, is an absolute joke, but then Australia has never had a world heavyweight champ, just a retired one that emigrated here.