Paul Gallen has made a triumphant end to his 21-year sporting career with a unanimous points decision over Justin Hodges in their State of Origin-style boxing grudge match in Sydney.
Gallen couldn’t find the knockout blow that Sydney fans at The Aware Super Theatre in Sydney were baying for on Wednesday night.
But the former Blues warrior still packed too many punches for his long-time former Queensland adversary, awarded the contest 60-54, 60-54, 59-55 by the three judges.
“Not too many people get to go out on a victory, especially in boxing,” Gallen said.
“He’s broken my heart plenty of times, Hodgo, so it’s nice to get one over him.
“I just did what I had to do. I wasn’t prepared to take too many risks tonight. He’s got power. I just used my right hand.”
Gallen leaves the ring with an impressive 15-2-1 record, with his only defeats coming against Justis Huni and Kris Tervieski for the Australian heavyweight title.
He gallantly went the distance in both bouts, only to lose on points.
Paul Gallen throws a punch at Justin Hodges. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
While a courageous victory over UFC legend Mark Hunt and a stunning first-round knockout of one-time WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne were the highlights of his pugilistic career, Gallen ranks going toe to toe with Huni as a standout memory.
In rugby league, the ironman achieved more than most players could dream of.
Gallen captained Cronulla to their one and only NRL premiership in 2016, NSW to a drought-breaking State of Origin series win over Queensland in 2014 and also won a World Cup in 2013 during 32 Tests for Australia.
“I’m just glad it’s all over,” Gallen said. “I’m 41, turning 42.Time to pull the pin.”
One of the toughest players ever to lace on a boot, Gallen, after this week claiming to have grossed $25 million in the past three years, is unfazed about the physical toll the game took on him, despite brain trauma affecting a swathe of retired greats.
“It’s part of life. What can I do about it? I’ve played over 400 games of rugby league. I’ve had 15 or 20 fights,” he said.
“What’s the point of worrying about it? This CT (issue), all that sort of stuff, I’m not trying to downplay it but you don’t find out about it until you’re dead anyway, or you don’t know til you’re dead.
“I’ve got a wonderful family, a beautiful wife. I’m loving life. I’m in a good place financially. I don’t need the money any more so what’s there to worry about?
“Whatever comes up in the future, comes up and I’ll deal with it then.”
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
He's " glad it's all over" , more to the point the general public are probably glad its all over . I'm a bit over footballers masquerading as boxers .
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
I think Gal's point is valid: the 400 NRL games will determine whether or not he gets CTE (and how badly). The increased likelihood of CTE from a few years boxing at the end of his league career is low enough to justify earning a motza for his retirement.
kk
Roar Pro
Hope that is all
HR
Guest
Sam, If it was $20m and 5 years left, I reckon 99.9% of the world would take the money. But, you've got the terms of the deal wrong. It's not $20m and it's not 5 years. In Gallen's case, it's about $8m and the severely elevated potential to cut 20 years off his life, and have the years from 55+ onward be riddled with significant debilities in motor and memory function, with substantially higher risk of suicide. When boxers make it to 70 in good health, it's actually celebrated as something of a miracle.
HR
Guest
$20 says you've either a) never been in a fight in your life b) any fight you have been in, you've lost comprehensively. And yes, by fight, I'm referring to even going toe to toe with a 5 year old in a spelling contest.
HR
Guest
If I was his wife, I'd be sleeping with one eye open tbh...
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
If you are referring to my comment, perhaps an adult should confiscate your crayons.
Adam
Roar Guru
Won't know you've got CTE until your dribbling into your weetbix is probably more accurate. He can box but, ironically, they actually have legitimate concussion protocols, but is his attitude really what the players think? If it is, it appears the education around CTE isn't getting far
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
I'm thinking it's on his bucket list .
Me Vlad You Crane
Guest
And an insightful response.
Me Vlad You Crane
Guest
Hey , your nappy, your stink. But good to see you don't need mummy to change it for you anymore . And well done , you get a nappy changing participation award :boxing:
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Gallen “ You don’t find about it until your’e dead”. Insightful comment.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
What kind of worry BD ? SBW got T knocked out just a few weeks ago by the same fighter Gal got a unanimous decision over. Sonny looked really over hyped ordinary to be frank.
mushi
Roar Guru
Took your advice and it still smells like someone took a dump... Oh that's just you've posted...
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
His kryptonite is $BW , if he said he'd fight him next week for $1 or a million , he'd come out of retirement . But he'll goes to his grave worrying about.
Me Vlad You Crane
Guest
You'll upset the bed wetters with a statement like that Sam. Fancy Paul Gallen making decisions that effect himself, that's just not on.
Me Vlad You Crane
Guest
Change ya nappy .
mushi
Roar Guru
I think what Sam is saying is he'd happily gun down his family for 20m
mushi
Roar Guru
Only if you think the risk is 5 years shorter life.
MrEMe13
Roar Rookie
I hate to break it to you Sam, but CTE is not just a matter of dying five years earlier. Repetitive brain trauma results in a range of issues - memory and cognition, depression and suicidal behaviour, poor impulse control, aggression, dementia, and Parkinson's disease (e.g. see Muhammad Ali - whose speech started slurring in 1978 before he retired in 1981 and was diagnosed in 1984, slowing by 26% between 26 and 39 years old. He didn't die 2016 - 32 years after his diagnosis). You're also speaking as though you'll live long enough to enjoy that money, or if you do live long enough - have a quality of life that lets you enjoy that money. Take a look at the Canadian wrestler Chris Benoit - He killed his wife and son before committing suicide at 40 years old, with CTE being thought to have a strong link his actions (as well as drugs - though go back and check the impacts of CTE: poor impulse control). When they opened his head and looked at his brain they found his it 'was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient.'