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Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams Predictions & Tips – SBW To Win Battle Of Rugby Legends

Leigh Copson

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Last updated: 04 Jul 2025

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Leigh Copson 04 Jul 2025

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Sonny Bill Williams is favoured to win against Paul Gallen
Williams's reach and size advantages are key factors for a decision win
Both fighters have been inactive; Williams needs to stay composed

Sonny Bill Williams (Getty Images)

Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams Predictions & Tips

Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams Predictions & Tips
Paul Gallen Form
Sonny Bill Williams Form

Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams Predictions & Tips

Sonny Bill Williams is tipped to win this battle between rugby legends.

SBW can use his size and reach advantage to frustrate Paul Gallen and earn the decision win.

5 of Sonny Bill Williams’ last 7 wins have been by decision
Paul Gallen has gone the distance in 3 of his previous 4 fights
The final bell rang in 2 of the 3 fights that Paul Gallen has not won

Paul Gallen Form

Former rugby league player Paul Gallen has compiled a 15-2 (8 KOs) record with 1 draw since becoming a professional boxer.

Gallen debuted in February 2014 and made a flying start as he won his first couple of outings by knockout.

He went on to win his first nine fights, before finally seeing his win streak end with a draw against another ex-rugby player Barry Hall.

The 43-year-old rebounded by out-pointing former UFC heavyweight star Mark Hunt over six rounds, and he backed that up with a first-round knockout of Lucas Browne.

That earned Gallen a shot at the Australian heavyweight crown, but he came up short as he was knocked out in the 10th round by Justis Huni.

He bounced back with a third-round knockout of former rugby man Darcy Lussick, only to then lose another fight for the Aussie crown, this time dropping a decision to Kris Terzievski.

Gallen again rebounded quickly from a loss, winning three straights fights to close out 2022.

He beat former Australia rugby league international Ben Hannant via decision, before winning back-to-back fights with Justin Hodges.

He won the first fight via third-round knockout, before taking the second meeting on points in what would prove to be his final fight for almost three years.

Sonny Bill Williams Form

Sonny Bill Williams is also a former rugby player, both union and league, and since entering professional boxing he has put together a 9-1 (4 KOs) record.

SBW debuted in May 20009 and won his first two fights in quickfire fashion as he knocked out Gary Gurr in the second and Ryan Hogan in the first.

He then beat Scott Lewis and Alipate Liava’a on points, before claiming his first minor title as he knocked out Clarence Tillma in the first round to win the NZPBA heavyweight title.

That earned him a shot at the vacant WBA international title, and he took that opportunity as he beat former world heavyweight title contender Francois Botha via unanimous decision.

Williams did not fight for another two years after that victory, but when he did return he beat Chauncy Welliver on points.

Instead of building on that win he went on a six-year hiatus which was finally ended in 2021 when he beat Waikato Falefehi on points.

He followed that up with a first-round knockout of Barry Hall, but in his most recent outing, in November 2022, he was knocked out in the fourth round by ex-UFC star Mark Hunt.

Verdict

Paul Gallen v Sonny Bill Williams

Neither man has been active, so we are going with the bigger and younger of the two men.

If Sonny Bill Williams maintains his focus and avoids being drawn into a firefight, he can out-work Paul Gallen for the decision win.

Sonny Bill Williams

Winner

@8/11 - 4 Units

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