Staggering $1.5m truth emerges after Paul Gallen cops brutal KO

Paul Gallen has about 1.5 million reasons to smile despite suffering a brutal loss to Justis Huni on Wednesday night.

Huni ended Gallen's undefeated professional boxing record to retain his Australian heavyweight title in spectacular fashion.

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Huni sent the rugby league great turned pugilist crashing to the canvas with a thunderous right hook in the final round of an epic encounter on Wednesday night that lived up to its blockbuster billing.

The combatants slugged it out relentlessly for almost 10 full rounds at the Aware Super Theatre at Darling Harbour.

But Huni, the only man in more than a century to win the national heavyweight belt on his pro debut, was ultimately too fast and skilful for Gallen.

Aussie boxing fans were left stunned by Gallen's gutsy performance, with many believing he came away from the fight in a better light than Huni.

And it seems the NRL great certainly came away with the better end of the deal in terms of the finances.

The Courier-Mail revealed before the fight that Gallen will get about 85 percent of the prize purse, taking home at least $1.1 million.

And that number could rise to $1.5 million depending on pay-per-view sales.

While Huni will only receive about $300,000, it will easily be the biggest payday of his career.

Paul Gallen reveals suspected broken rib

And Gallen earned every cent of his guaranteed million-dollar-plus pay cheque after courageously withstanding a devastating half-hour onslaught from the 22-year-old.

"He put up an awesome challenge. He's very tough," Huni said.

Gallen revealed afterwards he gamely battled on for almost eight rounds with a suspected broken rib.

"I'm a prized fighter but I'm as competitive a person as there is. I really wanted to win that fight tonight," he said.

"But I was never going to win the fight. I think he broke my rib in the second round. He was just too fast.

"I genuinely wish Justis all the best for the Olympics and I hope he can win a gold medal for Australia."

Gallen had notched a spectacular first-round knockout victory over Australia's only-ever world heavyweight champion Lucas Browne in his previous fight, and outlasted UFC legend Mark Hunt in a brutal 10-round affair the bout before.

Considered a genuine gold medal hope for Australia at the looming Tokyo Olympics, Huni was always in front on points.

"All the things he said and stuff didn't get to me, and I showed that tonight. I pretty much came out there and made him bite his words," Huni said.

Unheralded outside Australian boxing circles, Huni strategically used the fight to showcase his talents to the country.

The plan worked a treat and now promoter Dean Lonergan believes Huni can be much, much more than a household name in Australia if he can back up the victory with a medal in Tokyo.

"We want to turn him into an Australian rock star," Lonergan said.

"When he goes overseas and brings back a world title, it will be a ride not seen before and he'll be one of the biggest sports celebrities-slash-celebrities seen in this country."

with AAP

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