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SBW vs. Paul Gallen: Results, analysis and highlights as Gallen lands famous win

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Original Story by The Sporting News
July 16, 2025
SBW vs. Paul Gallen: Results, analysis and highlights as Gallen lands famous win

Paul Gallen has overcome being rocked early to claim a famous split decision win over Sonny Bill Williams in the main event of this highly-anticipated grudge match.

Earlier in the card, both Alex Leapai Jnr and Rahim Mundine made huge statements to open the undercard, with Leapai Jnr keeping his undefeated record intact via a devastating first round knockout win over Herve Silu Mata.

David Nyika also returned to form, outclassing Nik Charalampous; the Kiwi Olympian improved to 11-1 when Charalampous’ corner called a stop to the fight in the fifth round.

After several false starts, Kris Terzievski returned to the ring to defend his WBA Oceania and WBC Continental belts against Troy Pilcher. Terzievski dictated the pace early and, even accounting for Pilcher working off five weeks’ notice, Terzievski’s class was apparent from early on and sealed in sixth where a flurry of punches called in the referee.

Check out the full coverage below as Sporting News reported live from Qudos Bank Arena.

SBW vs. Paul Gallen results and highlights

SBW vs Gallen live round-by-round

GALLEN WINS! A split decision for the famous Shark and it's partytime in the Shire. See you at Northies.

Round 8

SBW oscillates between leaning on Gallen and circling at range. Can’t blame him; it’s very effective. Gallen catches him with a body shot and moves in but SBW returns serve and retreats. That’s it. Time runs out, both fighters claim victory and retreat to their corners.

Sporting News has it: Gallen 76- 74

Round 7

A HUGE body shot from Gallen to open the round and SBW is leaning on Gallen and clock watching. SBW HAS A POINT DEDUCTED. You can’t park there, mate. (There being on Gallen’s back). If Gallen does a bit more volume this could be a 10-8 round. SBW closes out the round with a clean uppercut straight through Gallen’s defences.

Sporting News has it: Gallen 67- 65

Round 6

Shout out to the big screen with the update: Gallen has landed 52 shots to SBW’s 28 at the start of round six. Both fighters seem to have settled into the fight now and Gallen has recovered from being rocked early. You like feints? Round six has plenty of ‘em. And boos: more boos than you possibly ever want. Both fighters throw hands to close out the rounds but it’s a tough round to call.

Sporting News has it: Gallen 57-57

Round 5

SBW goes back to his jab from range, tagging Gallen at will but with minimal effect. Gallen goes back to his original game plan and charges, landing solid body shots but SBW is content to hang back and rely on his significant reach advantage.

Sporting News has it: SBW 48-47

Round 4

Gallen opens up the round with a BIG shot and…something has happened in the clinch afterwards. Gallen isn’t happy and is protesting with the referee but the action continues. SBW is using his weight in the clinch to lean on Gallen and slow the fight down. The crowd isn’t having it and rains down a chorus of boos. To be fair, they’ve booed everything so this is expected.

Sporting News has it: 38 -38

Round 3

Gallen continues to chase but SBW is content to circle on the outside and pick his shots from range. Body shots seem to be the only available method of damage at Gallen’s disposal right now but he’s holding on. SBW’s hands are low and, from the outside, he looks calm.

Sporting News has it: SBW 29 -27

Round 2

Plenty of body shots from Gallen to start round two  but it’s quickly nullified by two consecutive uppercuts from SBW that land. Then a third. Gallen is in trouble and, strangely for him, gassed. Three uppercuts will do that. SBW keeps Gallen at range to close out the second

Sporting News has it: SBW 20-18

Round 1

From the opening bell it’s apparent: Gallen is going to have his work cut out for him to get inside the pocket and unleash. SBW does a good job using his jab and footwork to avoid Gallen’s repeated advances but it’s clear this fight will be a scrap. Also, how are we only doing this for two minutes at a time?

Sporting News has it: SBW 10-9

Waterman outlasts Auimatagi Jr over the distance

Waterman was impressive across the first two rounds and both fighters traded blows in the third.

And the fourth round happened

Auimatagi Jr dominated the fourth, holding Waterman against the ropes with volume and accuracy and then, when the fight made its way to the centre of the ring, unloaded a clean uppercut and jab combo to close out the round.

From there Waterman made his way back into the fight across the fifth and sixth, willingly trading in the pocket and at distance.

Waterman’s left jab - hook double up returned in the seventh round, with Auimatagi initially having no answer. As the round wore on, both fighters became more cautious, looking for range with their jabs and not much else.

Both fighters exploded out of their corners to start the final round, trading blows before being caught in a clinch to close out eight rounds where the action frequently threatened to become a firefight but managed to keep it under wraps.

Waterman gets the unanimous decision nod: 78-74, 77-75, 78-74

Of course none of this matters because Auimatagi’s entrance was so elite that he automatically won the battle of the entrances - the thinking man’s prize fight.

Kris Terzievski piles on the pressure to retain belts

Terzievski dropped Pilcher in the fifth and then twice in the sixth to retain his WBA Oceania and WBC Continental belts via TKO after a frustratingly long wait between fights.

Johan Linde gets the nod with split decision

Six rounds of big dogs throwing their weight around: how good are Wednesdays.

Linde wins via split decision over Kane Baker, 57-56, 56-57, 58-55.

David Nyika returns to form with stoppage

Nyika may have been heavily favoured in the lead-up but, true to form, Nik Charalampous did not shy away from the damage, with his corner eventually throwing in the towel in the fifth.

Nyika improves to 11-1.

It has been a truly brutal continuation of proceedings.

Rahim Mundine's strong second round calls in the referee

At this rate we'll be home for the late news. Joe Vatusaqata was valiant but dropped twice in the second round and that's all the referee needs to see, calling it off.

Leapai Jr continues cutting swathe through opposition

Blink and you'll miss it stuff as Alex Leapai Jr puts on an absolute show with a first round bomb delivered to Herve Silu Mata. Leapai jr remains undefeated.

SBW vs. Paul Gallen full card results

  • Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen; Heavyweights
  • Clay Waterman vs. Mose Auimatagi Jr.; Cruiserweights 
  • Kris Terzievski vs. Troy Pilcher; Heavyweights
  • Johan Linde def. Kane Baker via split decision
  • David Nyika def. Nikolas Charalampous via TKO (retirement)
  • Alex Leapai Jr. def. Herve Silu Mata via KO 
  • Rahim Mundine def. Joe Vatusaqata via TKO

Where to watch Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen

Live stream: Stan Sport

The Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen fight and card will air on Stan Sport.

Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen start time

  • Date: Wednesday, July 16
  • Time: 6 p.m. AEST
  • Main event start time (approx.): 10 p.m. AEST
  • Location: Qudos Bank Arena - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen will be at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on July 16. The first fight of the broadcast will begin at 6 p.m. AEST. The main event will begin around 10 p.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

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