One of the biggest names in world boxing compares Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen to women over one detail in their upcoming footy fight night
Joseph Parker has called on Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen to settle their long-standing feud in the ring over three-minute rounds.
It came after Jai Opetaia last week called the former rugby league stars 'soft' for agreeing to clash over two-minute rounds.
Gallen and Williams have been tiptoeing around eachother for some time over a deal to square-off in the ring.
But last month, they finally put pen to paper on a contract that will see both former NRL players finally square off in the ring, with both set to bank $1million from the fight.
Despite excitement now beginning to build over the clash, Opetaia, the Ring and IBF Cruiserweight title holder, called on the pair to make a change to the fight's scheduling.
'It's not an attack, I'm taking the piss – but two-minute rounds is soft, bro,' Opetaia told News Corp.
'You want to put on a big-time main event, well, boxing is three-minute rounds.'
Gallen, a former New South Wales captain, agreed with Opetaia's comments.
'He's right,' the ex-rugby league star said, before adding: 'Sonny, you're happy to tell everybody you're a better athlete than me, that you're a better boxer and you're gonna give me a hiding.
'Well, mate, let's do it properly. Boxing is fought over three-minute rounds.'
But a week on, New Zealand-born fighter Parker has now also weighed in on the matter, agreeing with Opetaia.
'I saw Jai made a few comments about the two-minute rounds,' Parker told CODE Sports via CasinoHawks.
'But isn't female boxing two-minute rounds?'
In men's professional boxing, fights are generally held over three-minute rounds. In women's professional boxing, rounds are typically held over two minutes.
'Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams have done great in their own careers and now they've switched over to boxing, and they've both done quite well,' Parker added.
'But like Jai said, eight three-minute rounds would be great for them to do if they can do it.
'That's more on the professional, male boxing side of things.'
Williams comes into this fight on the back of a defeat by Mark Hunt back in November 2022. Gallen, meanwhile, is unbeaten in his last three bouts - two of which came against Justin Hodges. Despite that, he remains his opponent's elder by four years.
Williams also has a longer reach than the former Cronulla enforcer, and Parker believes the All Blacks great has the edge on his opponent.
'I would have to say Sonny with his height and reach, but Gallen is a little feisty powerhouse himself,' he said.
'He stopped Lucas Browne and nearly went the distance with Justis Huni – he was stopped in the last round.
'He's done really well. But if Sonny puts in the focus, he should take care of business.'
Gallen, meanwhile, has also called for Williams to show some respect to their fight.
'It's a main event on a big card. Put some respect into our fight and let's do it over three-minute rounds,' he added.
'I'm happy to change the contract, mate. I'm happy to go to eight threes.
'Let's get it done. Be a man.'
It came after Williams had alleged Gallen of acting 'suspiciously' over the terms of their much anticipated meeting.
Parker, who retained his WBO interim heavyweight title against Martin Bakole in February, also hinted that he and Opetaia could one day square off in the ring.
'I'm still here, so I'll make it a bit tough!' Parker laughed. 'Jai's young, he's 29, I'm 33.
'I've got a few years left. He's still got time to dominate at cruiserweight, and by the time he comes up to heavyweight, I might be done.
'But in boxing, you never know what's around the corner. You never say never.'
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