'Absolute garbage': Fan fury over ‘awful’ Paul Gallen result
A furious debate has erupted in the boxing world after Paul Gallen's unanimous points victory against Mark Hunt on Wednesday night.
Gallen kept his unbeaten boxing record intact with an impressive win against UFC legend Hunt.
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Gallen was no doubt the busier of the two fighters, with his fitness, speed and conditioning seeing the 39-year-old land the lion's share of punches.
However, Hunt landed the heavier of the blows throughout the contest and looked to have Gallen in trouble on more than one occasion after brutal shots to the head.
Gallen admitted himself that one particular shot from Hunt left him rocked early on in the fight.
“He hit me with something in the second round and I don’t even know what it was. I didn’t even know if I hit the deck or not, but it got me real good,” Gallen said.
In the end, judge Brad Vocale scored the fight 59-55 in Gallen’s favour, while the other two judges, Will Soulos and John Cauchi, scored it 58-56 to the former rugby league star.
Plenty of viewers were left furious when the result was announced after the fight.
“An awful and incorrect decision,” Daily Telegraph journalist Nick Campton tweeted.
“Fair play to Gallen, he’s very tough but that’s a bad call after a bad fight.
“Should be 4-2 Hunt. Gallen is very tough and fought well but it makes me sad it was so close.”
Channel 7 sports reporter Chris Garry agreed, adding: “A clear win to Hunt but Gallen fought well and was always going to get a decision win".
Gallen victory divides viewers
While plenty of viewers agreed that Hunt should have been given the win, others argued that Gallen's victory was the right call.
Good tough fight by @PaulGallen13 last night, but no way he won, when #MarkHunt @MMA95111217 had him wobbling in four separate rounds. If that had been the schoolyard Hunt owned him! #TszyuMorgan #GallenHunt pic.twitter.com/tNhWB0UDhB
— Martin Newman (@newmanmartin) December 16, 2020
Hunt won that match.
— hopeful313 (@Joe__Schmo313) December 16, 2020
Absolute garbage Gallen won that fight
Hunt easily
Fixed— Max Rockatansky (@MaxRock222) December 16, 2020
Gallen was getting rocked like once a round compared to hunt never getting rocked once. Gallen seemed to have won due to more punches that led to nothing
— Patocat (@TokenWSWFan) December 16, 2020
Anyone who thought hunt won doesn't know much about boxing. Nothing controversial there.
— Tim Chapman (@TimChapmanEDU) December 16, 2020
Gallen won almost every round. You obviously don't know how the scoring works. You don't get round wins with a few big punches, smiling and walkways. Gallen through more punches. Stayed busy. Even Hunt knows it.
— Carter Goodfella (@CarterGoodfella) December 16, 2020
I don’t see how you could say Hunt won he was gassed in the corner for the second half of every round haha
— Emo Dad (@akaNorman) December 16, 2020
Gal won easily. Hunt stuffed up by walking away after every big punch. Bit of extra work would've made it closer. No surprise sadly. Poor fitness.
— Carter Goodfella (@CarterGoodfella) December 16, 2020
Gallen a ‘deserved’ winner
Hunt, in his first boxing bout in 20 years, wasn't expected to go the distance but he ended up making Gallen call on all of his trademark endurance to get the decision.
To his credit, the 46-year-old UFC legend was quick to congratulate his opponent after the fight.
“Congratulations to Paul Gallen well deserved win. U have my respect. Part time fighter beat my ass,” Hunt wrote. after posting a pictured of his bruised face on social media.
“But I had so much fun tonight getting back into the ring.”
Gallen landed two quickfire blows to edge the first round before Hunt replied with his heavy blow in the second.
The Super Samoan had Gallen literally pinned on the ropes but couldn't land the knockout blow.
Upping the ante, the pair traded a series of heavy blows in the third and fourth rounds with Hunt leaving Gallen wobbly with one massive left hook.
The ex-Sharks captain displayed incredible courage to carry on, especially after Hunt opened him up above the left eye in the fifth round.
Gallen said pre-fight he didn't know how much more his body had to give.
But, jubilant after improving his record to 10 wins and a draw, he quickly called out UFC middleweight superstar Robert Whittaker as his next target.
"I watched you about a year ago in an interview (when) you were asked if you would fight me," Gallen said of his fellow Australian.
"He said: Yeah I'd fight him but he wouldn't fight me' and gave a condescending laugh.
"I'm here and happy to meet you in here but stop pricing yourself out of it."
with AAP
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