Video emerges of Paul Gallen and SBW in behind-the-scenes clash
Startling vision has emerged of the moment Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams collided in a heated behind-the-scenes clash after a segment on Channel 9.
The rugby league heavyweights have been squabbling for years over a potential boxing bout but have never been able to see eye-to-eye about the terms of a deal.
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The feud was re-ignited last Friday night on the Channel 9 set with both men in commentary duties during Parramatta's clash with the Warriors.
During a post-match segment alongside Cameron Smith and host James Bracey, the talk turned to a potential bout between Gallen and SBW.
"This was post-game and we were having a great post-game show, having a bit of fun," Smith said on SEN radio this week.
"And all of a sudden it went from reviewing the Warriors-Parramatta match to Sonny Bill Williams and Gal talking about why they haven’t got a fight organised yet.
"They were getting stuck into each other. I was in between them - James Bracey was down the end hosting the show – and I had a bit of a chuckle at first but it kept going.
"Then I looked at Bracey and said 'is this a gee-up?' But they kept going for 10 minutes."
Things then spilled over after the cameras stopped rolling, with Gallen and Williams continuing the verbal stoush as they left the set.
Wide World of Sports has since released behind-the-scenes footage of the moment Gallen confronted Williams after they left the set.
The footy greats have been verbally sparring for years, each accusing the other about failing to get a deal done to touch gloves in a fight that could smash audience records.
Gallen was reportedly happy to take a 50-50 split, but the SBW camp wants a bigger slice of the pie, believing their man brings more to the table due to his bigger international profile across two codes.
Williams could be heard telling Gallen during the on-air beef: "You know the deal bro, you know the deal. Sign it brother."
Gallen then claimed he didn't know the deal, to which Williams claimed his manager had told Gallen's manager recently that they wanted a 60-40 split.
Paul Gallen urged to retire from boxing
Gallen has been urged to retire from boxing following his brutal points defeat to Kris Terzievski in May.
But those close to the premiership-winning Cronulla skipper are convinced he would make a comeback against Williams if the money was right.
"The one thing I’ve said to him in the past is there’s no point being wealthy if you’re not healthy," Senior News Corp sports journalist Dave Riccio previously told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"Talking to him (the morning after the …fight), he knows that also.
"I'm sure he could fight again - Junior Paulo wants a re-match and it would sell - but does Gal really need that fight?
"That’s what he needs to decide over the next few weeks."
Gallen admitted before the Terzievski fight that he was mindful of the possible long-term impacts of continuing in boxing.
His courage and ability to absorb pain can never be questioned, but the hand speed is not what it was.
"I’ve known Gal for almost 20 years and the one thing that I’ve learned about him is, you can’t tell him what to do," Riccio said.
"He’ll make the decision because he’ll know when it’s time.
"I don’t know another athlete who works harder, day in and day out, on being at their physical peak.
"His training and focus on diet, it never stops.
"He’s 40 and he still takes a lunch box with an apple in it everywhere he goes.
"But with that, comes an understanding from Gal on when his body has had enough."
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