'He knows': New light shed on Paul Gallen's future in boxing
Paul Gallen hadn’t even returned to his corner following his brutal points defeat to Kris Terzievski before they were queuing to square off against him.
Parramatta's Junior Paulo was ringside and straight into the ear of promoter Matt Rose, letting him know he'd be up for a re-match after the NRL season.
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Who could blame him? Gallen is a meal ticket for any boxer looking to add a few $$$ to their bank accounts while making a name for themselves.
Who knew much about Terzievski before Wednesday night?
He woke up as the Australian and Australasian heavyweight champion, his name plastered all around the country on the back of the sort of attention Gallen demands and attracts.
Any fight involving the ex-Sharks and NSW skipper will do well on pay-per-view.
Gallen makes sure of that, doing most of the heavy promotional lifting while his opponent watches the audience figures rise daily.
How much money does a 40-year-old man, with a good income outside the ring, need to live comfortably for the rest of his life?
Senior News Corp sports journalist Dave Riccio covered Gallen's entire rugby league career and helped pen his autobiography, 'Heart and Soul'.
He knows better than most that Gallen loves a challenge almost as much as he loves the coin.
"But the one thing I’ve said to him in the past is there’s no point being wealthy if you’re not healthy," Riccio 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."
Paul Gallen's body has had enough
Gallen admitted before the Terzievski fight he was mindful of the possible long-term impact of continuing in the most punishing and unforgiving sport of them all.
His courage and ability to absorb pain can never be questioned, but the hand speed is not what it was.
He wants to get out while the going is relatively good.
"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."
It's had enough. There's nothing more to be gained or proved by boxing on.
But there sure is plenty to lose.
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