Paul Gallen edges out Sonny Bill Williams in split-points decision

Paul Gallen won a split-points decision over Sonny Bill Williams in their highly anticipated heavyweight bout in Sydney. Two judges scored the bout 77-74 and 76-75 in favor of Gallen, while a third had Williams winning 77-74. Gallen attempted to pressure Williams from the start, while Williams used his jab and movement to evade Gallen's attacks. Williams was deducted a point in the seventh round for holding and clinching.

Paul Gallen, a former NRL star, emerged victorious over Sonny Bill Williams in a highly anticipated heavyweight boxing match held at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The bout, which was streamed live on Stan Sport, was a significant event in the boxing calendar, drawing in a large crowd and generating significant interest.

The fight was closely contested throughout, with Gallen employing a relentless pressure strategy from the outset. Williams, on the other hand, utilized his jab and movement to evade Gallen's attacks. The bout saw a point deduction for Williams in the seventh round for persistent holding and clinching, which could have influenced the judges' decision.

The scoring was contentious, with two judges awarding the bout to Gallen by scores of 77-74 and 76-75, respectively. The third judge, however, had Williams winning by a score of 77-74. This split decision resulted in Gallen claiming victory by a single point.

Post-fight, Gallen expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that he was surprised the fight was scored so closely. He also indicated that he would not be gloating about his victory and would move on with his life. Williams' manager, Khoder Nasser, was seen exchanging verbal blows with Gallen in the ring and later offered a middle finger salute to the sky when the result came through.

The win for Gallen marks a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the greatest sports figures in Australia. The bout also marked the end of an era for both fighters, who had been out of the ring for some time before this match.

References:
[1] https://www.espn.com.au/boxing/story/_/id/45750235/sonny-bill-williams-vs-paul-gallen-live-blog-sydney-fight-nrl
[2] https://www.sportingnews.com/au/boxing/news/sonny-bill-williams-paul-gallen-undercard-complete-list-fights-main-event-boxing-match/251807e65c3f797749d4660e
[3] https://www.nine.com.au/sport/combat-sports/sonny-bill-williams-paul-gallen-boxing-fight-2025-live-updates-main-event-start-time-round-by-round-results-latest-news-20250716-p5mfg5.html