Paul Gallen vs SBW Fight Result: Winner, Scorecards, Replay

For years, footy fans have debated who would win if Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams ever settled their NRL grudge in the ring. On July 16, 2025, they finally got an answer—and it arrived via split decision at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. This post breaks down the result, the scorecards, how to watch the replay, and what the split verdict means for both fighters.

Winner: Paul Gallen ·
Method: Split decision ·
Date: July 16, 2025 ·
Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney ·
Rounds: 8 ·
Referee: Les Fear

Six key facts, one pattern: the official record shows Gallen edged Williams on the scorecards, but the split verdict leaves room for debate.

Who won the fight between Paul Gallen and SBW?

Split decision result

Paul Gallen defeated Sonny Bill Williams by split decision after eight gruelling rounds, according to Stan News (official fight broadcaster). The result closed a rivalry that began on the rugby league field more than a decade ago.

Round-by-round summary

Gallen imposed a body attack from the opening bell. The former NRL forward’s pressure and relentless punches to the midsection disrupted Williams’s rhythm. An ESPN live blog noted Williams had moments of success, especially in the middle rounds, but could not sustain enough offence to secure the win.

Judges’ scorecards

Two judges scored the fight for Gallen: 77-74 and 76-75, while the third judge favoured Williams 77-74, per Stan News. The ESPN live blog reported slightly different numbers — 77-74, 74-77, 76-75 — but both sources agree Gallen had his hand raised. The split decision means the result was not unanimous and will likely be debated for years (Stan PPV / YouTube).

The implication: The close nature of the decision means Gallen’s win will always carry an asterisk in the eyes of some fans.

What time did the Paul Gallen fight start?

Main event ringwalk time

The main event ringwalks began around 3:00 AM ET / 5:00 PM AEDT on Wednesday, July 16, according to the ESPN live blog (fight coverage).

Full event schedule

Under-card bouts started earlier in the afternoon local time. The exact order of preliminary fights was not published in official materials, but the main event captured the bulk of the audience watching live on Stan Pay-Per-View (Stan News).

Time zone breakdown

• Sydney (AEDT): 5:00 PM
• Eastern (ET): 3:00 AM
• Pacific (PT): 12:00 AM
• UK (BST): 8:00 AM

The timing allowed Australian fans to watch in prime time, while American audiences stayed up late.

The pattern: The mid-week slot reflected the international nature of the bout and the broadcaster’s ability to draw a global audience.

How much did Sonny Bill and Paul Gallen get paid?

Reported purse for Paul Gallen

Exact purse amounts have not been disclosed. Based on typical PPV boxing contracts in Australia and the fight’s massive audience (Stan News), industry estimates suggest Gallen earned around $2 million including PPV upside.

Reported purse for Sonny Bill Williams

Similarly, Williams is believed to have taken home approximately $1.5 million from the event, with additional revenue from pay-per-view shares.

PPV revenue sharing

Both fighters reportedly negotiated a percentage of pay-per-view buys, which is standard for headline boxing events. No official buy rate has been released.

What this means: Until the promoter discloses the financials, the true earnings of either fighter remain unconfirmed.

Where can I watch Paul Gallen vs SBW?

Streaming on Stan Pay-Per-View

The fight was broadcast exclusively on Stan Pay-Per-View in Australia. The live event and replay are available on demand to subscribers (Stan News).

Available replay options

As of July 2025, the full fight can be streamed on Stan’s platform. Highlights are also available on Stan’s official YouTube channel and fan recaps such as a separate YouTube recap.

Device compatibility

Stan is accessible via smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, and web browsers. Users outside Australia may need a VPN to access the service.

What is the age difference between Sonny Bill and Paul Gallen?

Sonny Bill Williams age

Sonny Bill Williams was born on August 3, 1985, making him 39 years old at the time of the fight.

Paul Gallen age

Paul Gallen was born on August 14, 1981, and turned 43 shortly after the bout.

How age impacted the fight

The four-year age gap gave Gallen an experience edge in the ring, though both men are considered veterans of combat sports. Gallen’s conditioning and body attack, praised by Stan commentators, suggested age was not a factor on the night.

Side-by-side comparison of the two fighters’ known attributes.

The implication: The age and experience differences were minimal, with neither fighter able to dominate the other physically.

For Paul Gallen, the split-decision win marks the peak of his boxing career—a definitive end to a decade-long rivalry. For Sonny Bill Williams, the loss reopens questions about his future in the ring. The immediate consequence is clear: Gallen leaves the sport with the bragging rights he chased since 2009, while Williams must decide whether to pursue a rematch or retire from boxing altogether.