Timeline: Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen's 10 years of trash talk over boxing clash

RNZ News

11-07-2025

The rivalry and 10 years of trash talk will finally be settled on July 16 in Sydney.
Photo:
Photosport
Sonny Bill Williams has always preferred to let his actions to the talking for him.
However, a certain Australian and fellow footy star turned boxer Paul Gallen's decade-plus smear campaign has awoken the beast in Williams in the lead up to their fight, the former All Black uncharacteristically engaging in a savage war of words with his bitter Aussie rival.
The rivalry and 10 years of trash talk will finally be settled on 16 July in Sydney.
RNZ revists the biggest barbs thrown in the lead up to the much-anticipated fight
2015 - Respectful beginnings
As both men ventured into boxing, fans were immediately clamouring for a fight between the rugby league stars. When touted, both Williams and Gallen showed plenty of respect.
"I think Sonny Bill Williams is the end game, to be honest. When I had my first fight, everyone said oh, you need to fight Sonny Bill. I was doing a training session and Sonny walked in. I said hello then and we had a photo together with a couple of other boxers. I get on fine with him. There's no animosity or issue between us, it's just professional sport and it's something that people want to see."
"I'd be definitely interested in fighting Gal. I know there would be a lot of interest, but there would have to be a lot of things happen first. I know Paul and he is a true professional."
2016 - Gallen ups the ante
While no serious talks of a fight have taken place, Gallen takes the first jab at Williams.
"It's been spoken about for about four years now, maybe longer. I've said the last two or three years now, 'Let's do it'. I have said openly I want to fight Sonny Bill, unfortunately we haven't heard the same thing, back so I don't know if he wants to. I wouldn't say he is running scared but hopefully one day it will happen."
2017 - Gloves are off
Gallen lets his true feelings show for the first time.
"I will knock Sonny Bill out. Sonny has had everything go his way since he's been 14 years old. Contracts go his way, that's the problem at the moment is we're trying to negotiate but they want it all their way. I think the issue here is that Sonny is worried about me, I've watched him very closely this year and he is looking a bit fragile. He's had a couple of head knocks and I think they are worried about what will happen when I get hold of him."
2018 - Sonny fires back
Both men have now taken public shots, and the war of words is on.
"If I got fit, had a good campaign, I'd be able to beat him and beat him comfortably. I don't lay awake at night wondering, 'Oh what's Paul doing? I get the impression that's what he does for me. I feel a little sad for the bro sometimes. Tell my good friend Paul, he can just relax and we will get there eventually. He keeps calling me out by attacking me and questioning my manhood. That kind of talk, I'm past that stage in my life. I've been involved in sports for long enough to understand that the bravado, the macho talk is just rubbish. That's just water off a duck's back to me, so to speak."
2019 - Fight on?
It appears that the titans would finally clash with reports both camps had agreed to terms, though it would not eventuate.
"It will be a 50/50 split or it won't be happening. Everything was lopsided his way last time. Not anymore. I bring as much to the fight as he does, He'll make his couple of million so there will be no excuses for him to back away again." - Gallen
Gallen also pens an editorial for Nine:
"Sonny has always done the best thing for Sonny. Look at what happened at the Bulldogs. Then after that, he goes overseas and signs short-term deals, which he's continued doing throughout his career. Hopefully we get to find out one day. The questions are getting boring. Let's just do it."
2020 - Footy Show clash
During a rugby league panel, we see the disdain the men have for one another play out in real time.
"I want to hear it from you. Are you going to fight me? Is it going to happen one day? You're the only one it needs to come from now, it's a yes or a no? Gallen enquired.
"I'm definitely not scared to get in the ring with you, I'm definitely not running. I'm actually excited to get in the ring with you, it's going to happen... And hopefully within the next six months," SBW replied.
2021 - Hopes fade
With Covid wreaking havoc on the sporting world, it seems less and less likely the superfight will go ahead.
"I don't need to fight and he's stated that he's a prized fighter so he's obviously in it for the money." - Williams
"I think Sonny's waiting until I get to a point where I'm too old and I'm retired and then he'll say, 'let's do it' and I'll say, 'no, no I'm retired' and he'll act like I didn't want to do it." - Gallen
Gallen and SBW have been touted to fight for 10 years.
Photo:
Photosport
2022 - On air and backstage confrontation
Once again, the pair clash on live TV.
When the host asks if there is still a chance of the fight happening, Gallen leaps in with "I've been trying for 10 years."
"Sign the deal brother!" Williams responded.
"Oh is there a deal now?" Gallen said jokingly.
The argument continued when the show was over and after a tense exchange, both men walked away seething.
Gallen offered an insight into the escalation.
"We never had beef. And then he came out a couple of months ago and said, 'He's just not a good person'. That was the end of it for me. Who the f*** is he to judge me as a person?"
2023 - Things get nasty
The mutual respect once shown has well and truly gone out the window now.
"I can't really stand him, the narcissistic type of man. For me, those types of guys aren't in my circle. It's not that I don't respect what he has done in the sport, but as a man, I wouldn't ever say we would be friends or let a guy like that in my circle. Am I willing to give him a hiding and make some money off it? Of course." - Williams
"I don't know what to make of it all. As a person who feels he's so holy and nice I'm just amazed by his comments. I've never passed judgement on him as a person. The worst thing I've said about him is he's scared of fighting me. The only time I called him dumb is when he said I'm not a good person. Who is he to judge anyone as a person? He's got no right to do that, no one does. I think people are sick of it. It's bullshit." - Gallen
2024 - Moving on
With no barbs thrown and their focus shifting to other opponents It appears both men have moved on from the feud. That was until out of nowhere...
2025 - Contract signed, tensions reach boiling point
After 10 years of talk, the fight is finally agreed for 16 July in Sydney.
"The thing about Sonny is he just talks crap. Sonny's a dumb person. I want to hurt him; I want to knock him out and I think I can by the end of the fight. He is a scumbag, a poor excuse for a human, a liar and an absolute idiot." - Gallen
"I still want to give him a good hiding. He talks too much; I'm going to smash his face. I think the reason this grudge match is so big is because of the animosity that's been brewing for the last ten years." - Williams
The no show
Gallen opted to skip the first press conference, instead sending in a video as Sonny sat on stage alone.
"I hope you feel like I've wasted your time, mate, because I feel like you've wasted my time the past 10 years. But you, you keep being a good boy, you keep doing what you're told and I'll give you some attention very, very soon. And I hope you train hard, because while I'm past my best, we all know that I've still got enough left in me to beat you."
Williams got personal with his retort.
"I think he got word that the drug testers were going to be here today and ask him about the vitamins that he's been on. For someone that has been involved in probably one of the biggest drug sporting scandals in the NRL to date, for someone that charges his own players $10 a head to come to a barbecue at his house, this type of character having a go at mine, I see that as a compliment."
All Black allegations
Speaking to RNZ, Gallen implied that Williams was disliked during his time with the All Blacks.
"I don't know what happened with him and the All Blacks. I'm not a rugby man. I know the All Blacks is your pride and joy, but I get the feeling that he wasn't the most liked person within the All Blacks arena either. I think when you look at something successful as the All Blacks when they don't like him, I think it says a hell of a lot about who the person is."
He explained his intense animosity towards Williams.
"This hasn't started just because of this fight. I haven't liked him for a very long time. Dating right back to what he done at the Bulldogs, he's not a good person, the way he holds himself, the way everything's about Sonny. You've got to respect the person to worry about their opinion and there's certainly no respect for that bloke. He's a drop kick."
SBW's stark warning
"This is probably the first fight where I've thought, 'This is not sport anymore, this is an actual fight I want to have'. I'm as prepared as I can be, this is probably the hardest I've trained. This has really lit a fire in me thinking, 'Man, this is all or nothing'. You poke the bear too much, that bear's going to come for a bite."
Final words
The rugby league community couldn't help but get one last heated showdown in at Origin 3 just a week out from the fight.
"You are a weak-gutted dog. An absolute mutt," Gallen said.
It was a simple response from Williams: "I can't wait to shut this guy up. We'll see if you're ready for me bro."