Rugby league fable Paul Gallen has taken an bonzer changeable astatine Manly guardant Josh Aloiai's footy ability, arsenic speculation swirls astir the imaginable of a boxing showdown.
Aloiai confirmed connected Triple M vigor this week that helium had challenged Gallen to a bout successful December, portion adding, "I've been successful the boxing gym since I was capable to walk" and "I volition triumph the fight".
Gallen has since told Wide World of Sports helium has "no uncertainty he's going to beryllium a bully boxer" and "there's a spot of pedigree there", aft proceeding astir Aloiai's highly regarded performances arsenic an amateur.
READ MORE: Wayne Bennett officially confirmed arsenic Dolphins NRL coach
But the erstwhile Cronulla Sharks and NSW Blues skipper past shifted the taxable of the interrogation to Aloiai the footballer, ridiculing his ability.
"I look astatine his rugby league quality and I don't spot a full batch there, to beryllium honest, truthful I deliberation immoderate he's doing successful his spare clip he's astir apt doing boxing," Gallen said.
"He's not moving connected the weaknesses successful his (rugby league) game. I don't complaint him arsenic a subordinate astatine each and I deliberation he's fortunate there's nary reserve-grade comp. I'm beauteous definite helium got dropped this year.
"He says himself helium comes from a boxing inheritance and I deliberation helium indispensable beryllium inactive doing a just spot of boxing... due to the fact that I don't spot him arsenic that bully a player, to beryllium honest... I conscionable don't deliberation he's that crash-hot a player... I conscionable don't deliberation he's that bully astatine all."
READ MORE: The stunning workout that decided Josh Giddey's NBA future
Gallen told 2GB's Wide World of Sports vigor successful August that he had locked successful 3 bouts to beryllium fought implicit the adjacent 12 months.
And portion the 40-year-old confirmed contiguous that his opponents were yet to beryllium finalised, helium revealed a clash with Aloiai was among the options.
Gallen said Aloiai's campy had reached retired to his squad regarding a combat "six oregon 7 weeks ago", arsenic Manly closed successful connected their finals campaign.
READ MORE: Ronaldo leads Manchester United to chaotic 3-2 victory
Gallen said helium began to wage person attraction to Aloiai connected the tract aft the telephone was made to his campy – and helium gave the 25-year-old immoderate brutal feedback connected his qualifying final show against Melbourne.
"I'm not going to spell into what helium tin oregon can't do. He plays a role, he's got a relation to play wrong the team," Gallen said.
READ MORE: Australia thrashed by India successful T20 World Cup warm-up
"But aft this was earmarked to me, this fight, I watched him beauteous intimately against the Melbourne Storm successful that qualifying last and helium was non-existent, really, to beryllium honest.
"I don't deliberation helium rates successful the top-20 front-rowers successful the game."
For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
English (US) ·