SBW vs Gallen Fight Card: Results and Scorecard
When two rugby league legends finally settle their feud in a boxing ring, the result usually matches the hype—until it doesn’t. On July 16, 2025, Sonny Bill Williams walked into Qudos Bank Arena with a perfect 7–0 record, but walked out with his first loss after a split decision handed Paul Gallen the win.
Date: July 16, 2025 ·
Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney ·
Main Event: Paul Gallen def. Sonny Bill Williams via split decision ·
Purse: $1 million each ·
Fights on Card: 7
Quick snapshot
- Fight took place July 16, 2025 at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Paul Gallen won via split decision (ESPN (sports journalism))
- Both fighters earned $1 million base purse (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Scorecards: 77‑74 Gallen, 77‑74 Williams, 76‑75 Gallen (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Exact PPV buy rate
- Whether a rematch will occur
- Exact start time of main event (only approximate reports)
- Exact round and reason for Sonny Bill Williams’ point deduction
- July 1, 2025: Full card revealed by Stan (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- July 16, 2025: Event held in Sydney (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- July 16 evening: Gallen def. Williams via split decision (ESPN (sports journalism))
- Replay available on Stan on demand
- Potential rematch discussions
- SBW’s future in boxing unclear after first loss
Both fighters crossed over from NRL careers: Sonny Bill Williams won world titles in rugby and boxing, while Paul Gallen was known more for toughness than technique. The fight delivered a result few predicted.
| Date | July 16, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney |
| Main Event Result | Paul Gallen def. Sonny Bill Williams via split decision |
| Purse | $1 million each |
| SBW Record (pre‑fight) | 7 wins, 0 losses, 6 KOs |
| Gallen Record (pre‑fight) | 1 win, 1 loss, 0 KOs |
Here is a quick comparison of the two fighters leading into the bout.
| Attribute | Sonny Bill Williams | Paul Gallen |
|---|---|---|
| Record (pre‑fight) | 7–0 (6 KOs) | 1–1 (0 KOs) |
| Age | 40 | 43 |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
What Time Did the Paul Gallen Fight Start?
The main event was scheduled for 7 PM AEDT but began closer to 7:15 PM AEDT, according to Sporting News (sports coverage). The undercard broadcast kicked off at 6:00 PM AEST.
Main event ring‑walk time (AEDT)
- Undercard start: 6:00 PM AEST (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Main event approximate start: 7:15 PM AEDT
How to check local time
For viewers outside Australia, the main event aired around 5:15 AM UTC (July 16) and was available on demand shortly after broadcast.
The pattern: live events often run a few minutes late, and this fight was no exception.
Where and When to Stream SBW vs Gallen
The event streamed live exclusively on Stan Pay‑Per‑View in Australia, as confirmed by Sporting News (sports coverage). The PPV cost was not publicly disclosed, but similar Stan PPV events have historically been priced between $49.99 and $59.99 AUD.
Streaming on Stan Pay‑Per‑View
- Available to order and watch live & on demand on Stan
- Replay accessible after the broadcast
Availability in Australia
Stan is geo‑blocked to Australia. International viewers needed a VPN or a local broadcaster carrying the event—none were officially announced for this fight.
Australian viewers got the direct stream, but global fans were left with few options. This is a recurring pattern for NRL crossover events, which rarely secure international distribution.
What this means: the streaming access was essentially Australia-only, limiting the audience reach.
What Was the Scorecard for Gallen vs SBW?
Three judges turned in the following scorecards, as reported by Sporting News (sports coverage):
- Judge 1: 77‑74 Gallen
- Judge 2: 77‑74 Williams
- Judge 3: 76‑75 Gallen
Sonny Bill Williams also had a point deducted during the bout, though the exact round and reason were not fully detailed in early reports. ESPN (sports journalism) called the result “controversial,” given Williams had been ahead on one card.
Judges’ scores in detail
Five rounds, a point deduction, and two close scorecards: the margin was razor‑thin. Gallen’s hand was raised, but the debate over who deserved the win is far from settled.
For Sonny Bill Williams, the loss ends a perfect professional boxing record. Even with a point deduction, he lost by just one round on one judge’s card – a split that will likely fuel rematch talks.
The implication: the split decision leaves room for a potential rematch, especially given the controversy.
How Much Did Paul Gallen Get Paid for the SBW Fight?
Both fighters earned a disclosed base purse of $1 million each, according to Sporting News (sports coverage). A share of PPV revenue was also likely, though exact figures have not been made public.
Purse reported at $1 million each
- Base purse: $1 million per fighter
- PPV revenue split not disclosed
The total disclosed purse of $2 million makes it one of the richest crossover events in Australian boxing history, though still modest by international heavyweight standards.
For a man with a 1–1 record, Paul Gallen walked away with a career‑high payday and a victory that will define his boxing legacy.
The catch: despite the big purse, further details on total earnings remain undisclosed.
What Was the Full Fight Card for SBW vs Gallen?
The card featured seven bouts, with the main event headlining. Undercard results were reported by Sporting News (sports coverage).
Main event results
- Paul Gallen def. Sonny Bill Williams via split decision (77‑74, 77‑74 Williams, 76‑75 Gallen)
Undercard results
- Clay Waterman def. Mose Auimatagi Jr. via unanimous decision (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Kris Terzievski def. Troy via unanimous decision (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Alex Leapai Jr. def. Herve Silu Mata by KO (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Davidika reportedly defeated Nikolasalamp via TKO retirement (names truncated in source – exact spellings unconfirmed; Sporting News (sports coverage))
Seven fights in total, with the undercard delivering three unanimous decisions and one KO before the main event stole the show.
Timeline: Key Dates for SBW vs Gallen
- – Full fight card revealed by Stan (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- – Event held at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- – Main event: Gallen def. Williams via split decision (ESPN (sports journalism))
The entire event unfolded on a single day, but the repercussions will likely stretch into months of speculation about a rematch.
Confirmed facts
- Fight took place on July 16, 2025 (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Gallen won via split decision (ESPN (sports journalism))
- Both fighters earned $1 million purse (Sporting News (sports coverage))
- Scorecards as reported by multiple sources (Sporting News (sports coverage))
What’s unclear
- Exact start time of main event (only approximate)
- Exact PPV buy rate
- Whether a rematch will occur
“I knew I had it in me – all the hard work paid off.”
“I’m disappointed but respect the judges’ decision.”
— Sonny Bill Williams, post‑fight comments (reported by ESPN (sports journalism))
Two fighters, two different responses—one celebrates a career win, the other faces the first blemish on an otherwise flawless boxing record. For Sonny Bill Williams, the path forward is uncertain. For Paul Gallen, the victory cements his legacy as more than just an NRL great.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the SBW vs Gallen fight?
Paul Gallen won by split decision. The judges scored it 77‑74 Gallen, 77‑74 Williams, 76‑75 Gallen.
What were the undercard results?
Clay Waterman, Kris Terzievski, Alex Leapai Jr., and Davidika (reportedly) won their bouts.
How many rounds was the fight?
The main event was scheduled for 8 rounds. It went the distance.
Where can I watch the replay?
The replay is available on Stan on demand in Australia.
What is Paul Gallen’s boxing record?
He now stands at 2 wins, 1 loss, 0 KOs.
What is Sonny Bill Williams’ boxing record?
He now stands at 7 wins, 1 loss, 6 KOs.
Is there a rematch planned?
No official announcement has been made. Post‑fight comments from both camps suggest interest, but nothing is confirmed.
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