The latest event in the Australian boxing scene saw NRL premiership winner Sonny Bill Williams take on and defeat former AFL player Barry Hall in the first round of their bout on Wednesday night.

Since this fight took place the calls for Williams to take on ex-Cronulla Shark Paul Gallen have intensified with fans wanting this dream fight for a while now.

In a recent interview with Channel Nine’s Karl Stefanovic Williams spoke about the dream bout following his win against Hall.

“I said to him (Gallen) afterwards, look, let’s sit down, let’s talk,” Williams said.

“I’m a well-rounded individual.

“I don’t need fighting, I don’t need to box, I just love it.

“If (Paul) jumps up and down and says, ‘I want this, I want that’, then the talks might go on for a little bit longer.

“We will see what happens.”

Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Phone pic raises integrity issues https://t.co/4YUvR9kNCS

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) March 26, 2022

The Gallen V SBW bout is sure to happen one day but it seems the former Rugby World Cup winner will not be Gallen’s next opponent as The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield is reporting that the 40-year-old will take on another ex-NRL player.

“We’re hearing he’ll step into the ring against former Wests Tigers front-rower Russell Packer in his next bout as a tune-up for SBW,” said Rothfield.

Packer retired from Rugby League at the end of last season after a 184 game career that spanned across stints with the New Zealand Warriors, St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers.

He was once set to take part in a boxing match at the Fight for Life charity event in 2013 but did not fight.

In terms of experience in the ring, Gallen truly has Packer covered with his professional boxing record of 12 wins, one loss and one draw.

 
The former New South Wales State of Origin captain has also secured victory over combat sports veterans such as UFC fighter Mark Hunt and Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne.

Gallen is coming off of a win in his most recent bout, defeating Darcy Lussick in the third minute of the third round by knockout in December.

Many people will be expecting an easy win for Gallen before he moves on to the challenge of Sonny Bill Williams but an upset from Packer could see him taking on SBW later this year.