Sonny Bill Williams has vowed to give Paul Gallen “a good hiding”, claiming a fight between the pair could have happened three years ago had the former Cronulla and NSW captain not dodged him.

The former footballers have agreed to finally meet in the ring in an event that has been a decade in the making. They will earn about $1 million each as part of a 50-50 split in a fight that will be shown live and exclusively on Stan.

Speaking for the first time about the showdown, Williams is adamant he will emerge victorious.

“I win because I’m a better boxer,” Williams said. “I win because the only way he can beat me is to knock me out, and I don’t think he has the power. That’s the honest truth.

“I’m a better boxer, a better athlete.

“But the one thing he brings to the table – and I’ve always said this, I respect Paul for what he has done in the ring – he’s a brawler and he’ll come [at me].

“I still want bragging rights, I still want to give him a good hiding. He talks too much, I’m going to smash his face.”

Gallen, four years older than Williams at 43, has long claimed that the cross-code star has been waiting him out, only agreeing to the contest once he felt the former Sharks skipper was way past his best. However, “SBW” claims he was ready to take on Gallen after his loss to Mark Hunt in late 2022.

“We were right down to the final wire when he came back and changed the goalposts, he said he wanted 70 per cent [of the takings] and you get 30,” Williams said.

“I don’t know why he’s come [back] after three years, it’s quite weird, it’s quite suspicious.

“I still want bragging rights, I still want to give him a good hiding. He talks too much, I’m going to smash his face.”

Sonny Bill Williams on Paul Gallen

“For three years it’s no-go, and now all of a sudden it’s ‘let’s fight’.

“When I was a rugby player, I was travelling the world, playing different countries and in Australia there was always the voice of Mr Paul Gallen, ‘He’s running away, he’s doing this and that.’

“When it aligns, it aligns and it aligns now. We’re going to fight, I’m still excited. I’m actually overjoyed.

“Long story short, we’re here, it’s happening. We’re going to fight, I’m going to give him a hiding.

“Hopefully, he doesn’t get jelly feet in the next 12 weeks.”

One of the sticking points was the length of the rounds, with the parties belatedly agreeing to eight two-minute rounds.

“The biggest-grossing fight over the last five years was Jake Paul and Mike Tyson – that was two-minute rounds,” Williams said.

“Who really cares, we’re going to fight. Worry about the macro, not the micro.”

Gallen labelled Williams a “fraud”, claiming his boxing record was inferior and padded with wins against older, fading opponents. Asked to respond, Williams said: “Great work, congratulations, He’s copped a few too many punches already. At the end of the day, it’s on, and we’ll find out.

“We’re the same age. His hairline is a bit worse than mine, his face is uglier than mine, but we’re the same age.”

Reminded he is four years younger, Williams said: “Who really cares, we’re fighting now. I’m looking forward to the press conference, seeing him face to face. It’s all about bragging rights.

“This fight doesn’t need to be sold.”