WEDNESDAY UPDATE:
IT was harder than he expected but Paul Gallen returned from Auckland with his undefeated record in tact.
The Cronulla captain won a unanimous decision against New Zealand Warriors forward Bodene Thompson at the Super 8 Boxing Tournament on Tuesday night to improve his professional record to an unblemished 4-0.
Speaking to The Leader on Wednesday, Gallen said he pulled up well from the fight that went the four-round distance.
‘‘It was hard, he was very awkward,’’ he said.
‘‘It was a good test. I felt like I won pretty comfortably.
‘‘The third round he hit me with some good uppercuts but every time he got me I fired straight back.
‘‘I never let him get on top but it was really difficult.’’
See the full story in tomorrow’s Leader.
BOXING - TUESDAY
It was tough and at times brutal - but Paul Gallen will return from New Zealand with his record in tact.
Cronulla captain Gallen extended his undefeated record with a unanimous decision over New Zealand Warriors forward Bodene Thompson on Tuesday night in Auckland.
Gallen, 34, was the busier fighter over the four round main event at the Super 8 Boxing Tournament to improve his professional record to 4-0.
The NSW captain didn't have it all his own way as the unconventional Thompson landed a number of big left hands.
The 27-year-old, in only his second bout and first as a professional, troubled Gallen as he showed a surprising ability to evade most of Gallen's attacks to the head.
The Sharks lock landed a number of stinging body shots and was more economical in the number of punches thrown.
The result will be encouraging for Gallen, who told The Leader last week he was building towards a fight with rugby league and rugby union superstar Sonny Bill Williams.
Gallen said after the fight he was pleased with the win.
"I knew it was going to be tough," he said.
"I knew I wouldn't knock him out. He's too tough.
"It was hard. It was good to get the win.
"I think we put on a good show for everyone. We ripped into each other which is what everyone wants to see.
"He kept throwing those big bombs. I thought I could tire him out but he didn't. He just kept coming."
Gallen started well and appeared to have the better boxing fitness as the fight wore on.
He was cut above the right eye one minute into the third round as Thompson landed a powerful left hand.
Gallen said he was hopeful of another fight before January 31 and will return to pre-season training with Cronulla on November 16.
See more reaction in Thursday's Leader.
10:08pm: DECISION - Gallen keeps his undefeated record. Wins by unanimous decision. Moves to 4-0 as a professional. Story to come soon.
10:04pm: That's it. All over. Could go either way. Gallen finished stronger, but could be a draw. Good battle. Waiting for the decision.
10:01pm: Start of the fourth and final round. Could go either way.
10:00pm: End of the third. Again, really hard to separate. Thompson looked to land the better big shots. But Gallen the busier again, could be scoring better working the body. Thompson did land a couple of big left hands. Gallen has been busier, been more economical with punches thrown and looks to have better boxing fitness.
9:57pm: Start of round 3.
9:56pm: End of the second. Maybe Thompson's round. Throwing a lot of big left hands. Gallen was definitely better for the last minute of that round. But again, very close.
9.54pm: Start of round 2.
9.53pm: End of the first round. Pretty even. Gallen landed a couple of good uppercuts. Thompson landed one nice left hand. Gal might have just done enough working the body to take the first.
9.50pm: The bell rings. Round 1.
9:47pm: Both fighters in the ring now. Thompson is seven years younger and has a height and weight advantage on Gallen. But Gal has the experience. This is only Thompson's second fight, and first as a professional.
9.45pm: Just a reminder - Gal is 5-0 in his boxing career so far. Three of those wins as a professional. Looking to take his professional record to 4-0 and take one step closer to that fight with Sonny Bill Williams.
9.44pm: Gal in the ring. Thompson on the way. The four-round main event should be starting shortly.
9.42pm: Gallen making his way to the ring to Puff Daddy's Come Wit Me.
9:30pm: Welcome to The Leader's live blog of Cronulla captain Paul Gallen's fight with New Zealand Warriors back-rower Bodene Thompson at the Super 8 Boxing Tournament in Auckland.
