Paul Gallen says he has "bigger fish to fry" following Sonny Bill Williams' announcement of a return to boxing.
William on Tuesday revealed he's now focused on becoming a world champion boxer, stating his career as a footballer is officially over having played his last game in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters during their semi-final loss to the Canberra Raiders last year.
"I spoke to my manager, I said, 'Bro I'm keen to get back into the ring, I've got a couple of years, I'm 35'," he told Nine News Sydney.
Hearing Williams' comments while speaking on 2GB's Wide World of Sports Radio, Gallen responded: "It's about time."
Gallen, who has a professional boxing record of 10-0-1, has long sought a fight with Williams. The pair six years ago seemed destined to meet in the ring when Gallen agreed to take a reduced payment to get the deal done before it ultimately fell through.
Asked whether now is the right time to make the fight with Williams happen, Gallen said he's given up and has his eyes set on bigger opponents.
The 2016 NRL premiership winner is scheduled to face ex-WBA champion Lucas Browne (29-2-0) in a heavyweight bout in Wollongong next month.
"How many times do I have to say I'm keen for a Sonny Bill Williams fight?" Gallen said.
"I've said it for years and heard nothing in return. Now he's got his own gym and wants to start boxing.
"As I said after the Mark Hunt fight, there's bigger fish to fry for me at the moment.
"And that's what I'm doing, I'm fighting a former WBA world champion - he calls himself a world champion, but I don't consider him to be the WBA world champion.
"The only person on my mind is Lucas Browne. We spoke before about Robert Whittaker - they're options for me.
"Ask Sonny Bill Williams when it's going to happen."
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