Junior Paulo wants another crack at Paul Gallen.
After holding his own against the Cronulla captain on Friday night, Paulo is keen for a rematch in the next edition of the Ladbrokes Star of the Ring Charity Fight Night.
Paulo buckled Gallen with a series of heavy blows midway through their encounter at the Hordern Pavilion. However, the former NSW and Australian forward fought back strongly to maintain an unbeaten record from his six appearances in the ring.
Paulo believes he will be better for the experience and wants another opportunity to square up to Gallen.
"Whatever happens happens," Paulo said. "I'll put my hand up.
"We were both fighting towards a good cause and also coming up against each other. We've had that one bout and maybe [a rematch] will happen, maybe it won't. I'll definitely put my hand up to have another crack.
"If the opportunity comes up again, why not?"
The initial event, a sellout that was beamed to a large television audience on Fox Sports, has been hailed a success. While the main undercard between clubless playmakers Chris Sandow and Todd Carney wasn't one for boxing purists, the stoush – judged a draw – was also highly entertaining.
Although he didn't get the result, Paulo gained many fans after momentarily threatening an upset in the second round.
"My head was telling me to punch, but my hands weren't moving," Paulo said.
"Round two was probably my best round of the fight. I sort of had him there, but he kept throwing back, too. It was definitely a dog-eat-dog kind of fight.
"The fight just drains you mentally and physically as well, especially with all the hype towards it. He's known in league as being the toughest man and there's a reason behind it. He showed that last night. He won fair and square.
"I'm in pretty good nick, didn't cop too many body punches or head punches. This pretty face won't go away."
Paulo and Gallen will soon go at it again on the footy field, as the Raiders and Sharks are scheduled to clash at GIO Stadium in round two of next year.
Matt Rose, of No Limit Boxing Promotions, confirmed the charity event would be on again in 2017.
"Gal is chasing Sonny Bill Williams, but the response to a rematch, particularly if Junior gets a couple more fights under his belt, would be unbelievable," Rose said.
"Everyone has been talking about how well Junior fought in what was just his first fight."
Gallen was magnanimous in victory, praising the efforts of Paulo and backing him for a spot in the Blues pack. He was less complimentary about his next opponent, Ryan Carr, who described the veteran forward as the "head bogan" of the Shire.
"I'm going to be able to keep that pace [that he showed against Paulo] for six rounds [against Carr]," Gallen said of their upcoming encounter at Cronulla's home ground.
"I'm going to knock him out for all of Cronulla.
"Everyone in the Shire get down there and watch me put him to shame."
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