'Forget about me': Paul Gallen hits back at talk of 'blow up'
Paul Gallen is reportedly 'blowing up' over upcoming rival Justis Huni's coming fight against Christian Tsoye - at least if Huni's promoter is to be believed.
The former NRL star has said he would be more 'incredulous' than upset should Huni lose to Tsoye on May 26, less than a month before their pair are set to face off on June 16.
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Gallen responded to promoter Dean Lonergan's suggestion that he was 'blowing up' over the fight and was 'full of sh*t' in saying he wasn't concerned about the prospect of losing a million-dollar payday for winning against Huni by more or less laughing the claims off.
It's the latest chapter in an increasingly acrimonious build-up between the pair, which was kicked off by Gallen's objection to a fight poster depicting Huni as the 'Terminator'.
The Sharks legend said it was ridiculous for Huni to be in another fight with such little time before their own high-profile face-off.
“I’ve been trying to get it cancelled from the time we started this negotiation two weeks ago," Gallen told Fox Sports.
“I think it’s ridiculous that he’s going to be doing this.
“Forget about me, what about his Australian Olympic team? I can’t believe he’s allowed to fight me, let alone against Christian Tsoye next week. Where’s his loyalty to his teammates there?
"What if he gets hurt or injured, knocked out, there’s plenty of things that can go wrong in heavyweight boxing.”
Huni and Gallen came face to face during the NRL's Magic Round last weekend, with Huni sitting in the grandstands while Gallen was on broadcast duties on the sideline.
The former NRL star flipped his upcoming rival the bird in a cheeky bit of gamesmanship.
Gallen, Huni angst brewing ahead of June showdown
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.
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