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Paul Gallen Instagram post reveals truth about Justis Huni fight

Paul Gallen has admitted the barrage of insults hurled towards Justin Huni prior to their heavyweight bout were all for show, after Huni defeated him in the 10th round. Picture: Instagram
Paul Gallen has admitted the barrage of insults hurled towards Justin Huni prior to their heavyweight bout were all for show, after Huni defeated him in the 10th round. Picture: Instagram

Paul Gallen says his repeated mockery of Justis Huni in the lead-up to their heavyweight bout was 'all an act' and has wished his opponent all the best at the Tokyo Olympics.

After months of back and forth trash talk, former NRL star Gallen finally had his opportunity in the ring against Huni on Wednesday night.

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After a near 10-round marathon, Huni finally stopped Gallen just short of the 10th bell with a devastating right hook at Darling Harbour's Aware Super Theatre.

Gallen had stepped up his trash talk closer to the fight, vowing to ruin Huni's Olympic dream and even suggesting he was willing to break Huni's arm to do so.

But the day after the fight, Gallen had nothing but respect for Huni.

“He was just too good, I wish him the best at the Olympics and I hope he can win a gold medal for Australia,” Gallen said.

“All the chat before, it was just chat.”

It was a remarkable turnaround from the weeks of insults prior to the fight, which included Gallen labelling Huni 'disrespectful' for scheduling another fight in the weeks prior and targeting Huni's father, Rocki.

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.

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.

Paul Gallen's financial windfall from Justis Huni fight

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.

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.

Justis Huni defeated Paul Gallen in the 10th round of their heavyweight bout on Wednesday night. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Justis Huni defeated Paul Gallen in the 10th round of their heavyweight bout on Wednesday night. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

"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."

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