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SBW vs. Paul Gallen prediction: Barry Hall’s preview and live betting odds

Benyam Kidane

SBW vs. Paul Gallen prediction: Barry Hall’s preview and live betting odds image

After weeks of build-up and verbal sparring, it all goes down tonight as Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen step into the ring to settle the score. 

A fight that's been years in the making, the two former professional footy stars will throw hands at Qudos Bank Arena, and we can expect plenty of fireworks.

One man who knows exactly what it's like to be in the ring with both SBW and Gallen is former AFL star, turned boxer, Barry Hall, who expects the pair to match up well.

WATCH: Click here to order SBW vs. Gallen

"It's going to be a good fight, let's be honest, styles make fights," Hall told Sporting News Australia.

"It's a perfect stylistic fight for both guys, really. You've got a guy with distance, you've got a guy wanting to get up and under. It's going to be interesting to see how it pans out."

Hall and Gallen fought back in 2019 in a bout of six, two-minute rounds, which resulted in a draw. 

"He's a tough matchup for anyone," Hall said of Gallen.

"Just the pure fact that he's in your face. He's happy to give one to take one. The fitness base is quite good. He's a tough matchup for any heavyweight.

MORE: SBW lashes Gallen with doping accusations

"Paul hits hard, but I think he's more of an accumulation puncher. He will knock you down with five punches, where Sonny's got the one-shot power.

"Paul does get hit a little bit coming in, so if Sonny can catch him on the way in, which I think they'll have the distance, that's going to be the game plan. It's going to be interesting whether Paul can get in or not."

MORE: Breaking down the entire Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen undercard

Meanwhile, Hall's bout against SBW in 2022 was a different story, with the former All Black and two-time NRL premiership winner, ending the fight inside two minutes via knockout.

Will SBW have that same front-foot attack against Gallen?

"The Sonny Bill fight, I probably was surprised how aggressive he was coming out of the gates. I think his coach at the time really wound him up to, 'let's get this guy out of there'. Kudos to them. and it worked.

"[Sonny's advantage is] probably just his mindset and how aggressive he came really early. I was going to feel my way in, and then I got caught with a temple shot, and that was all she wrote."

MORE: 'It's hard': Paul Gallen's surprising admission on returning to the ring

The bookmakers have given the slight edge to SBW to win tonight, with the shortest odds a win by decision.

"I give an advantage to Sonny," Hall said of his prediction for tonight's proceedings.

"Paul's struggled against 'boxer types' of Sonny's size, long-ranging guys who can move their feet, he's struggled in the past.

"That's the type of fighter Sonny is. He's going to move his feet and he's that size and he's going to use his jab and his distance. In the past, that's what Paul Gallen's struggled against."

WATCH: Click here to order SBW vs. Gallen

SBW vs. Gallen fight card and odds

Bouts and order subject to change. Odds per bookmaker Sportsbet

  • Sonny Bill Williams ($1.78) vs. Paul Gallen ($2.30); heavyweight
  • Kris Terzievski ($1.57) vs. Troy Pilcher ($2.60); bridgerweight
  • Clay Waterman ($1.19) vs. Mose Auimatagi Jr. ($5.40); light heavyweight
  • Kane Baker vs. Johan Linde; heavyweight
  • David Nyika vs. Nikolas Charalampous; cruiserweight
  • Rahim Mundine vs. Joe Vatusaqata; supermiddleweight
  • Alex Leapai Jr. vs. Herve Silu Mata; heavyweight

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.