‘I was scared’: Ex-teammate’s emotional Gal reveal as icon ‘put out of his misery’

Paul Gallen suffered a brutal first-round knockout defeat against Nelson Asofa-Solomona at Sydney's TikTok Entertainment Centre. Former teammate Mick Ennis admitted he was terrified watching the bout after seeing the massive size disparity between the fighters. The 45-year-old Gallen gave up 22 centimeters in height and 33 kilograms to the 30-year-old former Melbourne Storm enforcer.

The defeat is expected to end Gallen's crossover combat sports career, which concludes with a professional record of 16-3-1. Commentator Dan Ginnane noted relief that the devastating knockout would prompt Gallen to retire, while fellow commentators and peers lauded his dual sporting achievements over two decades in both rugby league and professional boxing.