By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing

Australian heavyweight and Rugby League great Paul Gallen talks to Fightnews.com® about the controversial draw that was given after his bout with former Golden Gloves champion and Aussie Rules Football great Barry Hall that happened in Melbourne, Australia on Friday in a pay-per-view bout that could break records. He also discussed recent comments by former heavyweight champion Lucas Browne, and a proposed multi-million dollar contest with Sonny Bill Williams who has recently signed $10 million deal with Toronto Wolfpack Rugby League team in Canada.

There were many boxing fans who had you the winner in your bout with Barry Hall in Melbourne on Friday night. One judge had you winning clearly with two having it 57-57 a draw. Did fighting Hall in his hometown give him a big advantage? Would you prefer neutral ground such as Queensland? Your thoughts.

I knew that going into the fight, he was in his own hometown. In the promoter’s corner. He had everything going for him and everything against me. I knew I had to win dominantly but I probably didn’t do it the way I wanted to. He did what he had to do. He landed some good punches and whenever we got anywhere near each other he tied me up. Which was pretty obvious and that’s the way it went. He had that game plan and executed it pretty well. He held on well and was warned by the referee every round. It is what it is and it is all done now.

Can you tell me if there will be a rematch with Barry Hall? He said he didn’t want to put his wife through the same thing again but his wife gave him the thumbs up if he wants the rematch. Should the rematch be over more than six rounds.? Should it be three-minute rounds?

Definitely three-minute rounds without a doubt. I have had a nineteen year career (in Rugby League) and just finished it and have gone straight into this fight, training for the past two months. Maybe that showed.

It was reported that Sonny Bill Williams was interested in boxing the winner of the Gallen vs. Hall bout. Are you interested in boxing Sonny Bill in what would be a multi-million dollar contest? In 2013 Williams defeated former world heavyweight champion Frans Botha.

He hasn’t boxed for a number of years. If it comes about I would be interested. I am not sure if Barry Hall and me will have a rematch. I don’t know what’s going to happen. My first priority is go home and relax. I will see what happens next year.

Former WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne has made comments that footballers who box receive unfairly much more money then what boxers receive? Would you be interested in a bout with Lucas Browne? Your thoughts?

All that Lucas Browne is looking for is publicity. I can understand it but on the other hand I am not going to have somebody use me.

You are regarded as one of the most talented boxers to come from Rugby League which includes Anthony Mundine, Tommy Raudonikis, John Hopoate, Billy Johnston, Herb Narvo, Blake Ferguson and Lance Thompson. Do you attribute this to your dedication to training and also your trainer Graham Shaw who is regarded as world class after taking Daniel Geale to the IBF and WBA world titles?

I got to give credit to my trainer Graham Shaw without a doubt. Boxing has helped my rugby league career also. Football and boxing worked hand in hand with one another. The fitness I gained from boxing helped the backend of my football career. Playing a contact sport for so long allowed me to take those blows and handle them better then other guys were able to.