“I saw Whitaker’s interview about [me] a year ago,” Gallen said.
“I don’t know if it was a podcast, I can’t remember what it was – but someone asked if he’d fight me and he said: ‘Yeah, I’d fight him but he wouldn’t fight me’ and he laughed, like in a way that annoyed me.
“I felt ‘Stuff you, you condescending pr–k, I’ll fight ya’.
“I had options for this fight, but Mark was the big name and the big drawcard and we’re here to promote Australian boxing and all the other guys who were on the undercard tonight, he was the biggest name, he was the biggest scalp.
“I’ve got that one done. If we can come with a deal with Rob Whitaker, we’ll sort that one next.
“I won’t be taking any less than 50-50. I saw what he asked for [to make the fight happen] the other day.”
After defeating Mark Hunt in an epic battle, Paul Gallen has his sights set on another combat sports legend.Credit:Getty
Gallen was paid less than Hunt for their bout in front of 11,820 fans at Parramatta, but the 39-year-old said he won’t be taking less than an even share against his next opponent. He is resigned to the fact it won’t be Williams, despite calls for them to meet in the ring for the best part of a decade.
“Sonny Bill is yesterday’s hero,” Gallen said.
“Where is he? Where is he?
“I’ve said I’ll fight him for how many years now. You’ll have to go and ask him.
“Why doesn’t [somebody] ask Sonny Bill if he wants to fight me? I’m always the one answering the question.
“Go and ask Sonny. Actually go and ask Khoder [Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser]. Khoder speaks for him. Sonny can’t talk.”
Gallen, right, claimed the biggest scalp of his boxing career via a unanimous points decision against Mark Hunt.Credit:Getty Images
Gallen, who came into the Hunt fight as a rank outsider, believes Whittaker would present an even greater challenge.
“I know how fit he is,” Gallen said. “I know I won’t be fitter than him, I won’t be stronger than him. It’s going to be a challenge. That’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to promote boxing and what bigger challenge than Rob Whitaker.”
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Gallen admitted he was “rattled” after taking a series of heavy blows from knockout specialist Hunt.
“It was that second round, I don’t even know what he hit me with,” Gallen said.
“I was rattled without a doubt. We all know what he’s renowned for.
“I’m not happy I got hit like that, but I’m happy that I never went down.”
Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.
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