By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Australian heavyweight champion Justis Huni (5-0, 4 KOs) scored a tenth round knockout against previously unbeaten Rugby League legend Paul Gallen (11-1-1, 6 KOs) on Wednesday night at the ICC Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The taller Huni often managed to keep the hard-charging Gallen from getting inside while landing hard blows himself. Huni staggered Gallen several times but Gallen showed tremendous heart and proved to be incredibly tough. Huni finally dropped Gallen in round ten and the bout was halted.
Justis Huni said afterward, “A big shout out to Gal. He’s an awesome competitor very tough very strong.
“Thank you to him for putting up an awesome challenge. He’s definitely built different. You’re a legend mate. He made it tricky for me in the build up with his words but we don’t let that get to us. We come here and we do what we need to do.”
Paul Gallen said, “I want to win. I’m as competitive person there is. By the sixth or seventh round I knew I wasn’t going to win it I just wanted to finish it.”While he knocked me down fair and square I thought the referee stopped it early but I was never going to win the fight. I think he broke me rib in about the second round. I just couldn’t get off every time I moved it kept clicking. “He was too fast and probably punched a little bit harder than I thought he was going to punch as well. I just wanted to get through the fight but he was too good tonight. I wish him the best.
“I’m not against it ( a rematch). I think I had a really good preparation. It was a short one but I got fit the fittest I’ve ever been going into this fight.”
Great job, Justis Huni.
A star is born.
I am very upset we could not see this fight in the USA. I would have loved to watch Huni beat Gallen up for 10 rounds.
Gallen is tough as hell – he took mad shots all night broken rib from 2nd round. Huni’s body attack was merciless. Took foot off the gas about 5-6 round then ploughed Gal in 8 and 9
Did what he was supposed to but Gal showed a big set of plums and some reasonable boxing ability.
Gallen looked impressive and I am glad he put up a herculean effort against a young undefeated fighter. Respect to both men…Would love to see Huni continue to fight.
Early stoppage, Gallen was ready for the KO to cum.
Earth to Roy,
Your boy lost. Put on your big boy pants & admit defeat.
Brave you are Gallen, too brave for your own good though. Fight against fighters your own size as well, not like this fight where you were clearly physically too small.
Hats off to Paul Gallen….gutsy performance…. congratulations to Justus Huni…a genuine future heavyweight star.
A 41 year old part time boxer that has been battered for over 20 years playing top level rugby took a so called champ in the making 10 rounds and took everything he had. Huni has no future even against the middle ranked heavys. Mark hunt did more damage to gallen. Huni again failed to floor his opponent.
I hold my hands up. Huni prevailed, but Gallen made a much better fight of it than I said he would. Great effort from both.
well done gallen he was brillant and a good fighter and person i respect him a lot now he said that