'It's ridiculous': Paul Gallen blows up over promoter's 'childish' move
Paul Gallen has let rip at Dean Lonergan, insisting he will make the boxing promoter "change" one of the posters for his upcoming fight with Justis Huni.
Gallen and Lonergan have been at loggerheads with one another ever since the NRL legend agreed to the all-Australian bout against Olympic hopeful Huni, on June 16.
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The former rugby league star won his first battle with Lonergan last week after threatening to pull the plug on the lucrative fight, unless the venue stayed in Sydney.
Huni's promoter scoffed at Gallen's claims he'd cancel the fight, pointing to "the highest pay day of his life" as ample motivation to take on the heavyweight talent in Queensland.
Gallen will reportedly earn $1.5 million for the bout against the exciting 22-year-old heavyweight.
With Sydney's Hordern Pavillion ruled out as a venue, the fight has been booked for Sydney’s International Convention Centre on June 16 instead.
However, News Corp reports that Gallen has again threatened to "cancel" the bout unless Lonergan changes one particular promotional poster for the fight.
Gallen is incensed by the image which portrays Huni as the Arnold Schwarzenegger character the Terminator, and the bout described as “Termination Day” - seemingly suggesting it's the day that Gallen's sporting career is ended.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Gallen has called Lonergan demanding it be changed.
“I can guarantee you this is not the poster we will be using for the fight, it’s ridiculous,” Gallen said.
“He’s trying to pump his client but this bloke does not need a leg up every single time. When I first saw it I thought, ‘I don’t care’. But Dean Lonergan has been so difficult to deal with every step of the way, I’m going to dig my heels in and make him change it.
“Why can’t he just be an adult and keep his word? He’s being childish.”
Lonergan has since hit back by insisting that when it comes to fight promotions, Gallen's experience is non-existent compared to his own.
“He’s kidding himself, I’ve been in the promotional business for 25 years, I don’t appreciate the input of a former footballer who has no marketing experience whatsoever,” Lonergan said.
Toughest test yet for undefeated Gallen
The proposed match-up comes after the former NRL star's upset of Lucas Browne last month and a defeat of Mark Hunt late last year.
Huni, third at the 2019 amateur world championships, an Australian heavyweight champion on professional debut last year and a medal chance in Tokyo, is a different prospect.
"Great talent, awesome talent, very fast, great boxer," Gallen said of the 22-year-old.
"He's the prodigy, the Olympic gold medal hopeful, never been done before (an Australian winning gold).
"So to beat him would have to silence a few people surely.
"Everyone thought I'd get killed by my last two opponents and here I am and determined to beat Justis."
"I'm going to have to earn it (my money) and that's fine. I said from the start I'm here for a good time not a long time.
"I've got to 11 fights and never thought I'd reach that.
"I'll have a few more fights, make as much money as I can and have fights the public want to see. Nobody can bag me for that."
with AAP
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