NSW Origin great Paul Gallen has reignited his ongoing feud with Barry Hall – and potentially lit the fuse for an explosive rematch five years in the making – after branding the AFL legend a “delusional desperate” who will get knocked out in his return to the sport.
Two years after being kayoed by Sonny Bill Williams, Hall is now readying for a return to the Australian fight scene against Curtis Scott on July 10 in Wollongong.
As revealed to Fox Sports Australia in March, the now 47-year-old is returning to both avenge the SBW performance and also, he hopes, secure a pair of hyped rematches with both Williams and Gallen – the latter of whom he fought to a contentious draw in 2019.
Speaking on the No Limit podcast late last week, the Sydney Swans premiership hero doubled down on his pursuit of the former footy stars, while also recounting his version of the Gallen fight – adamant he won four rounds to two.
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“I thought I won,” Hall said in his interview with No Limit CEO George Rose. “And everyone was saying I won.
“But I’m sure Paul has a different opinion”.
Doesn’t he what?
Responding soon after via Instagram, Gallen not only accused Hall of fighting dirty in their heavyweight bout, or of knowing he lost — and admitting as much — but reminded that while two judges scored the bout a draw, a third had it going the way of the Cronulla premiership skipper 58-56.
Gallen then said he looked forward to Scott “knocking you out”.
That, in turn, promoted a response from Hall, whose own post has since fueled speculation the former footy hardman could entice Gallen back to the sport where he grossed $25 million during his biggest three years.
Big Bad Barry even hinted as much, finishing with the statement: “I’ll deal with you later”.
Gallen, who now works as an NRL analyst and commentator, has not boxed since winning consecutive bouts against Queensland Origin hero Justin Hodges at the back end of 2022.
But the now 42-year-old was quick to give his own version of the Hall fight after hearing the No Limit podcast when taking to Instagram.
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“Haven’t fought for almost two years @nolimit_aus still using me to promote fights,” he started.
“Fair play we were good for each other.
“@barryhallofficial u watched the fight. U hit the deck from memory once maybe twice. No knockdown called.
“U held intentionally from the first round. Warned every round by the ref. Intentionally, which you are not allowed to do.
“We did a function together and you admitted this.
“The event was there for you to win and you were the A side and with the promoter and u were not good enough.
“We know/feel as soon as the fight finishes how it went and u stood there and said ‘one judge said he won so he probably did’.
“Yes a judge gave it to me. Two had it a draw.
“You’re a delusional desperate I look forward to @curtisscott4 knocking you out”.
Soon after, Hall responded in kind.
“Ahh @paulgallen13 ?!,” he wrote.
“It’s actually funny you think I’m delusional when you think you knocked me down twice??
“And I do remember that function and I pretty much said everything I said on the @nolimit_aus podcast and you replied with silence?
“But now you choice to argue on here?
“I’m sure you would be hoping Curtis KO’s me cos it will save you from a beating later.
“Now if I can get back to my job and I’ll deal with you later”.
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Back in March, Hall revealed he was preparing for a comeback in Burleigh with respected trainer Fidel Tukel and was keen to have his time over with the two of Australia’s biggest crossover boxing stars.
“The way my last fight went, that’s not how I want to finish,” Hall said of being stopped by Williams within a round.
“I thought I was fairly unlucky with some circumstances there and I’d like to rectify that.
“I’d love a rematch with Sonny Bill … and obviously Paul Gallen is the other one.
“There is unfinished business there.
“We had that draw but he knows I won. And I know I won.
“I won that fight four rounds to two, and most people who know boxing would agree.
“I know he’s retired and I probably should be too but that’s a story that needs to be finished.”
Of course, before all that Hall must first get by exiled NRL star Scott, who has won two professional bouts, both by stoppage, since switching sports.
It was Scott who called out Hall after finishing fellow crossover fighter Joey Leilua in March.
He will now make his third appearance on a card set to be topped by undefeated Australian super bantamweight Sam Goodman, who faces undefeated Thai fighter Chainoi Worawut.
The pay-Per-View will also see a host of other Aussies in action including Liam Wilson, who is making the move to lightweight, and a potential showdown with George Kambosos, plus rising star Billy Polkinghorn.