'Disgraceful': Fans savage Code War fight after 'joke' result
The much-hyped fight between Paul Gallen and Barry Hall in the fight has been labelled a ‘farce’ following the anti-climatic majority decision draw.
Former league star Gallen and ex-AFL player Hall didn't see eye to eye ahead of Friday night's fight at Margaret Court Arena and the pair battled it out for six rounds, but their "Code War" fight ended in a draw and the result was slammed on social media.
'YOU’VE DONE NOTHING': Paul Gallen 'bulls***' makes Barry Hall snap
One judge at Margaret Court Arena scored Gallen ahead 58-56 while the other two scored the fight 57-57.
Gallen kept his 10-fight unbeaten record intact while Hall was making his debut in front of a vocal pro-AFL crowd.
Fans on social media were divided over who won, but many agreed the draw was anti-climatic.
“Majority draw” for hall/gallen. No argument from me. Featureless fight very hard to score - non result for pretty much a non event. #CodeWar
— ron reed (@reedrw) November 15, 2019
Best version of what that could’ve been. Hall deserves enormous credit. Even the fact he went 12mins on pro debut at 42yo is amazing. That said, I liked the 4-2 scorecard. #CodeWar #HallGallen
— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) November 15, 2019
BOXING IN AUSTRALIA IS A JOKE #CODEWAR Barry Hall kicked Gallen's Ass
— Steve 🏇 (@SPH_Racing) November 15, 2019
Ummmm.. I wasn’t even aware you could draw in boxing 😂 what an absolute stitch up. Great way to ensure a follow up fight so promoters can capitalise. What’s the bet next fight goes to Sydney? Hahahahaha if this isn’t a set up, then I don’t know what is. #hallgallen #codewar
— Paige Cardona 🦊🏉 (@paigecardona) November 15, 2019
I’ve seen some disgraceful judging in Australian boxing before, but far out, Hall out boxed him in at least 3 rounds. There’s no way 58-56 Gallen is possible. #CodeWar
— Mitch 'Red' Datson (@Mitch_Datson) November 15, 2019
Is seeking a royal commission going too far? What a farce. Gallen didn’t just win he out scored Hall by so much even my wife could tell. #embarrasing https://t.co/RHnAJLEIqP
— BB (@SydneyColt) November 15, 2019
I am not watching the stupid rematch. 6 x 2 min rounds, not enough action. Gallen on the front foot. Hall with good counters but mostly holding. A stinking fight and don't ever want to see another Aussie boxing farce again. Gal should have won, TAB happy with the draw. TAB wins
— Paul Cross (@PaulCrossOZ1) November 15, 2019
Both Barry Hall and Paul Gallen say they’re keen to share a beer now it’s over...all is well in the world.
— James Van Leeuwen (@jamesvanleeuwe1) November 15, 2019
The pair traded some big shots as they searched for a knock-out blow in an even contest with both believing they'd done enough to get the win.
‘Disappointed’: Gallen
Gallen said a draw "felt like a loss" and lashed out at the judges.
"I'm disappointed with a draw," he said.
"One judge had it right and the other two had it wrong.
"He hit me with some good clean shots and probably won one or two rounds but for me boxing is about who is the aggressor, who lands more shots.
"Blind Freddy could see I landed more shots and kept coming forward ... he was just constantly trying to survive."
Gallen, who retired at the end of the NRL season after 19 years, said he was planning a holiday before considering his next boxing move.
He said it "made sense" to have a rematch.
"I'm more than happy to do it again ... but we will have to get some judges who can score."
Hall also thought he had the upperhand and said he landed cleaner shots.
The 42-year-old said he should have trusted his trainer Angelo Hyder, who told him that Gallen was "gassed".
"Angelo was saying at the end of the fourth, 'You've got him' and I didn't go so it's my fault.
"I was trying to conserve energy as I thought he was going to kick in the last round and he didn't.
"I probably could have put a bit more pressure on him late, seeing him backing up and breathing quite heavily, I had my opportunity to press him a bit more.
"I didn't, but that's my inexperience."
The AFL premiership captain said while he loved the experience, he wouldn't make a decision on another fight until talking to his family.
With AAP
