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Paul Gallen’s crowning moment as a rugby league star turned legitimate boxer has been tarnished by accusations of a fix and the “pathetic” performance of his opponent Lucas Browne.
Gallen came ready to fight and it showed as he finished the former world title challenger inside two minutes on Wednesday night, but pre-fight rumours Browne had disrespected the sport with his approach to training in the lead-up appeared to be backed up as he fell far too quickly.
Browne angrily denied he’d taken a dive in a 5am message to his critics on social media but the sports world wasn’t convinced.
‘Taken a dive for a few quid’
Ex-rugby pro Ollie Stedman declared Browne has “taken a dive for a few quid” and branded the bout a “disgrace” while America’s WBO junior lightweight titleholder Jamel Herring cheekily asked what the odds were.
UK journo Neil Fissler could only laugh, tweeting: “Lucas Browne just got sparked by a former rugby league player inside a round.”
Closer to home the reaction was also widespread disappointment in what many considered another black eye for the sport in Australia.
“I don’t know what to say about Browne’s performance,” tweeted The Daily Telegraph’s Jamie Pandaram.
“I do,” former Aussie world titleholder Billy Dib replied. “Pathetic.”
The rest of the Aussie press pack was also scratching its head.
“Lucas Browne once won a world heavyweight title,” Mark Gottlieb tweeted. “I realise he’s well past it but why is he boxing Paul Gallen like he’s drunk fighting someone outside the Kings Cross Hotel at 3am?”
Chris Garry: “Credit to Paul Gallen. He absolutely brought it. He wanted it bad. Lucas Browne though … who knows what’s doing there.”
Alex McClintock: “All power to Paul Gallen but his ‘monumental victories’ include a draw with Barry Hall and a pair of wins against a 46-year-old ex-UFC fighter and a 44-year-old John Hopoate. Anyway the dude seems to know exactly what level he’s at, and that level is impressive as hell for a late convert. Take my money.”
Browne’s angry denial: ‘It’s so f***ing sad’
Browne insisted after the fight his career wasn’t over and fumed at anyone questioning his credibility.
“It’s so f***ing sad to see so many bullshit comments, attacks, haters and people saying I took a dive,” the 42-year-old wrote. “I had a fight, I fought s***, couldn’t recover, have been out the ring for too long and got beat, end of story.
“I got in there, had a go, failed, and that’s it … full credit to Gallen. Thankyou to the fans, supporters and sponsors, and I do apologise.”
In a separate video on his Instagram page, Browne indicated he was wobbled by a shot to the head.
“I’m not marked up,” he said. “I believe I got hit back of the head, behind the ear and it f***ed up my equilibrium and I basically couldn’t recover,” Browne said.
Gallen says to ignore the critics
Gallen also had a message for anyone who fears the reaction of the critics.
“All I try to teach my kids is be nice to people and do your best. That’s all you can do – just have a crack,” he said.
“I’ll have a crack at anything …
“People get so scared with social media these days and the backlash.
“I knew coming out here with all the talk, that if I’d lost – imagine turning up to Penrith Park (to work for Channel 9 as the Panthers play Newcastle) tomorrow night if I’d got knocked out or lost. I’d have been ridiculed.
“There’s no shame in just having a go.
“Those people who ridicule you are just cowards themselves who won’t have a go.
“Any kids out there, anyone, just get out there and have a go. Try your best. You’re not going to succeed at everything. You’re not going to be the best at everything, but just have a crack.”
The question is if Browne did that or not.
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