An All Black great and Kangaroo legend will let their fists do the talking in the boxing ring tonight - putting an end to a decade long feud.
Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen will mark the end of their sporting careers with the trans-Tasman showdown. But how much is at stake beyond ego? And how much do these fight events draw in?
Newstalk ZB sports journalist Elijah Fa'afiu joined Elliott Smith from Sydney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's take you to Sydney. It is sunny, but Williams
and Paul Gallon fighting in the ring this evening and
joining us as our man on the ground news Talks.
Ebb's Elijah for you, Elijah, thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Laura's widdy. Good evening and great to hear from you.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Well, what's the sense on the ground. You've been there
for a couple of days. Give us an idea of
how the final build up has been to this fight
card tonight.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Yeah, well, I guess been here for a few days.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
I wouldn't say the spipe is front page or back
page news, but there is some sort of anticipation around
the name value of Sonny Bill and Paul going getting
into the ring together. Both have signaled that this is
going to be their last hour in the ring and
with that that comes in brings them into their storied
sporting careers. So I think a lot of people will
be eagerly anticipating to see what happens with this FIPE. Well,
(01:05):
obviously it's not just a one fight cut a great
undercard underneath.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
David as well.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
He's a big cruise away who will be hoping he
gets a woman, gets back on track to contend for
a will title again.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
That's right, Look, that's sunny. But Williams and Gallon, there's
been no love lost then, is there? In the build
up between you know that the verbal barbs that have
been tossed either way, it's been quite a spicy build
up to this fight.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Yeah, has been.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
I feel like part of it's just, you know, that's
where you get off the combat sports arena where you
the fighters involved are trying to trash talk each other
and entice fans to buy the pay per views or
or buy tickets to attend the show. But there is
some genuine, I guess distrust or dislike hates probably too
strong of a word, but there is some dislike and
distrust between these two over a decade. These guys have
been trying to put a fight together for a decade now,
(01:54):
the closest probably back in twenty twenty two. Now that
they've got this fight settled, both are pretty much in
their forties, so I'm not sure what that means in
terms of the anticipation and health with a will be
eager to watch this main event, but definitely some intrigue
in that one, given the build up that we've had.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
You mentioned we've done an article on the Herald dessessing
the best verbal jabs. So who's won the build up
do you think to this fight, Sonny Bill or Paul Gallon.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Yeah, well they've both taken different approaches to this one,
and that you know, Gallon's fired all this ammunition basically
just seeing what sticks, you know, so many dart throws
and seeing which one lands when it comes to Sonny.
But when it comes to Sonny Bill himself, he sort
of picked his moments, and I think part of that's
sort of the life that he lives now, his religion,
his values. You know, it's hard for him to engage
(02:43):
in trash talk with the guy like Paul Gallon, and
Gallon is the type who likes to get under his people,
just gets under people's skin. I'll give the slight edge
to Gallon just because there is more volume and his
verbal jabs, but obviously that all goes out the window
this evening where they actually stepp between the ropes and
actually throw some real jabs and hooks and body shots.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well, it's been a while since their last fight. It's
twenty twenty two, both of them who looked in the
bitter nick at the way and in the everything like
that the final media.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Yeah, I'd give the ex to Sonny Burl.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
He's got big, high advantage, twelve centimeters taller, also six
kg's heavier weight on at one oh six point five
compared to Gallon's one hundred point fives. And also I
think the big key is that this is going to
be eight two minute rounds, which reportedly is what Sonny
Bill called for. So those shorter rounds were definitely suit
a younger for the Sunny Burl. So based on the
(03:32):
way and based on the world, I'd probably lean towards
Sonny as the favorite for this fight.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And David Nika, as you mentioned back in the ring
tonight against the nickt shar Olympus in the cruiser weight.
How big is this fight, I guess for David Nika
and getting his career back on track after that Giopetia
loss earlier in the year.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Yeah, I think Cheryl Lampos is the ideal opponent for
David Nika, especially with David coming off a big world
title fight loss. He mentioned how this was as tough
as camp psychologically, and I think a great way to
sort of overcome those mental and psychological barriers as to
the feeder guy like Cheryl Lampos. Charlel Lampas has actually
never been locked out in the ring because one stoppage
loss was actually due to a knee injury, so he's
(04:14):
never actually been beaten on locked out in the ring.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
So if Nika can do that, that's gonna do wonders
for his confidence.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Does he need it, I guess to get his career,
you know, back on track. He sort of took a
bit of a step backwards with how badly he was
beaten and then oppoti fight.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Yeah, he definitely does need it.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
I mean, there's never been any doubt about his in
ring ability, but when you come up a big title
fight loss like he did against Juy back in January,
you know there's gonna be some mental or psychological hurdles
to that. So a big statement, and David even said
himself he needs to be clinical tonight against Nick Cheryl Lampos,
So we'll see whether that happens. He's the third fights
out of seven this evening, so he'll be there nice
(04:52):
and earlier. I think he takes to the ring at
around nine twenty this evening on New Zone time. So yeah,
the fans are sill awake, they'll be able to see
Naker in.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Action, and you'll be there right through the card. Give
us a prediction that Eliz Sha how does the main
fight go Sonny but Williams again Paul Gallon.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Well, it's gonna be interesting to see how Sonny handles
the pressure of Paul Gallon the way Gallon likes the box.
He likes to, you know, put so much pressure on
his opponents and move forwards. And Sonny is more of
a a counter puncher. So if Sonny can land the
right CounterPunch to counter Gallon, then I think he could
definitely stop him during the contest.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
I'm going to go Sonny on points. So yeah, that's
my prediction for tonight.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Thank you very much, Elijah, appreciate your time with us
in Sydney and enjoy the Enjoy the card that is
Elijah for your news talks. It be's man on the
ground in Sydney County. Down to this big card tonight,
headlined of course by the Sunny But Williams Paul Gallon
fight on on Sky Arena as well.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
For more from sports talk, listen live to News Talks
it Be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's take you to Sydney. It is sunny, but Williams
and Paul Gallon fighting in the ring this evening and
joining us as our man on the ground news Talks.
Ebb's Elijah for you, Elijah, thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Laura's widdy. Good evening and great to hear from you.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Well, what's the sense on the ground. You've been there
for a couple of days. Give us an idea of
how the final build up has been to this fight
card tonight.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Yeah, well, I guess been here for a few days.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
I wouldn't say the spipe is front page or back
page news, but there is some sort of anticipation around
the name value of Sonny Bill and Paul going getting
into the ring together. Both have signaled that this is
going to be their last hour in the ring and
with that that comes in brings them into their storied
sporting careers. So I think a lot of people will
be eagerly anticipating to see what happens with this FIPE. Well,
(01:05):
obviously it's not just a one fight cut a great
undercard underneath.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
David as well.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
He's a big cruise away who will be hoping he
gets a woman, gets back on track to contend for
a will title again.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
That's right, Look, that's sunny. But Williams and Gallon, there's
been no love lost then, is there? In the build
up between you know that the verbal barbs that have
been tossed either way, it's been quite a spicy build
up to this fight.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Yeah, has been.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
I feel like part of it's just, you know, that's
where you get off the combat sports arena where you
the fighters involved are trying to trash talk each other
and entice fans to buy the pay per views or
or buy tickets to attend the show. But there is
some genuine, I guess distrust or dislike hates probably too
strong of a word, but there is some dislike and
distrust between these two over a decade. These guys have
been trying to put a fight together for a decade now,
(01:54):
the closest probably back in twenty twenty two. Now that
they've got this fight settled, both are pretty much in
their forties, so I'm not sure what that means in
terms of the anticipation and health with a will be
eager to watch this main event, but definitely some intrigue
in that one, given the build up that we've had.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
You mentioned we've done an article on the Herald dessessing
the best verbal jabs. So who's won the build up
do you think to this fight, Sonny Bill or Paul Gallon.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Yeah, well they've both taken different approaches to this one,
and that you know, Gallon's fired all this ammunition basically
just seeing what sticks, you know, so many dart throws
and seeing which one lands when it comes to Sonny.
But when it comes to Sonny Bill himself, he sort
of picked his moments, and I think part of that's
sort of the life that he lives now, his religion,
his values. You know, it's hard for him to engage
(02:43):
in trash talk with the guy like Paul Gallon, and
Gallon is the type who likes to get under his people,
just gets under people's skin. I'll give the slight edge
to Gallon just because there is more volume and his
verbal jabs, but obviously that all goes out the window
this evening where they actually stepp between the ropes and
actually throw some real jabs and hooks and body shots.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well, it's been a while since their last fight. It's
twenty twenty two, both of them who looked in the
bitter nick at the way and in the everything like
that the final media.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Yeah, I'd give the ex to Sonny Burl.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
He's got big, high advantage, twelve centimeters taller, also six
kg's heavier weight on at one oh six point five
compared to Gallon's one hundred point fives. And also I
think the big key is that this is going to
be eight two minute rounds, which reportedly is what Sonny
Bill called for. So those shorter rounds were definitely suit
a younger for the Sunny Burl. So based on the
(03:32):
way and based on the world, I'd probably lean towards
Sonny as the favorite for this fight.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And David Nika, as you mentioned back in the ring
tonight against the nickt shar Olympus in the cruiser weight.
How big is this fight, I guess for David Nika
and getting his career back on track after that Giopetia
loss earlier in the year.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Yeah, I think Cheryl Lampos is the ideal opponent for
David Nika, especially with David coming off a big world
title fight loss. He mentioned how this was as tough
as camp psychologically, and I think a great way to
sort of overcome those mental and psychological barriers as to
the feeder guy like Cheryl Lampos. Charlel Lampas has actually
never been locked out in the ring because one stoppage
loss was actually due to a knee injury, so he's
(04:14):
never actually been beaten on locked out in the ring.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
So if Nika can do that, that's gonna do wonders
for his confidence.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Does he need it, I guess to get his career,
you know, back on track. He sort of took a
bit of a step backwards with how badly he was
beaten and then oppoti fight.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Yeah, he definitely does need it.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
I mean, there's never been any doubt about his in
ring ability, but when you come up a big title
fight loss like he did against Juy back in January,
you know there's gonna be some mental or psychological hurdles
to that. So a big statement, and David even said
himself he needs to be clinical tonight against Nick Cheryl Lampos,
So we'll see whether that happens. He's the third fights
out of seven this evening, so he'll be there nice
(04:52):
and earlier. I think he takes to the ring at
around nine twenty this evening on New Zone time. So yeah,
the fans are sill awake, they'll be able to see
Naker in.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Action, and you'll be there right through the card. Give
us a prediction that Eliz Sha how does the main
fight go Sonny but Williams again Paul Gallon.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Well, it's gonna be interesting to see how Sonny handles
the pressure of Paul Gallon the way Gallon likes the box.
He likes to, you know, put so much pressure on
his opponents and move forwards. And Sonny is more of
a a counter puncher. So if Sonny can land the
right CounterPunch to counter Gallon, then I think he could
definitely stop him during the contest.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
I'm going to go Sonny on points. So yeah, that's
my prediction for tonight.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Thank you very much, Elijah, appreciate your time with us
in Sydney and enjoy the Enjoy the card that is
Elijah for your news talks. It be's man on the
ground in Sydney County. Down to this big card tonight,
headlined of course by the Sunny But Williams Paul Gallon
fight on on Sky Arena as well.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
For more from sports talk, listen live to News Talks
it Be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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